The Flower That Resembles Snapdragons And Also Blooms Well Into Winter Frosts

Snapdragons, with their distinctive mouthlike flowers, can add some much-needed variety to your garden even once the weather begins to cool. They aren't the only flowers with this unusual shape and good frost tolerance though. Nemesias (Nemesia strumosa and Nemesia hybrid) also have both these qualities and, even better, have colors ranging from pale yellow blossoms to vibrant red flowers in bloom. There are some bold yellow and purple bi-color combinations as well.

Nemesias hail from southern Africa, but as they are relatively fast-growing, they can be successfully grown as annuals in USDA zones 2 through 10 as long as the ground isn't frozen solid. In zones 10 and 11 many varieties can also be grown as perennials. Snapdragons and nemesia are relatives, which means they look alike and have similar qualities. But unlike snapdragons, which often have fungal issues, nemesia is relatively free of disease and pest issues. 

While nemesias aren't quite as well known as snapdragons in North America, many cultivars are available as seeds and as young plants. If frost tolerance is important to you be sure to check the label on your nemesia as not all cultivars are equally frost tolerant. Some of the best options for frost and heat tolerance are hybrids of two different nemesia species, and are often patented varieties that may not be widely available as seeds. 

Nemesia thrives in full to part sun and is tolerant of a range of soil types as long as its growing medium is slightly acidic, moist, and well-draining. A slow-release fertilizer or small but regular amounts of a liquid fertilizer can also be beneficial for ensuring your plant blooms its best. Be sure to deadhead your nemesia as needed, especially on non-hybrid varieties, which may not be self-cleaning, and feel free to pinch the plant's growing tips if you want your flowers to branch. 

Thanks to nemesia's wide range of shades, there's sure to be one that's a perfect match for your garden's color scheme. In addition to making excellent bedding plants thanks to their relatively low height of a foot or less, nemesias are also perfect for hanging baskets or anywhere you want to add a bit of color even as the weather cools. Even if you're putting in nemesia primarily for fall or winter color, be sure to plant it before temperatures get too cold, so the plants have time to get established before frost arrives. Don't forget to mulch around your plants as well to help give them a little extra winter insulation.

Nemesia pairs beautifully with snapdragons and pansies, as all three enjoy cooler weather and thrive in similar conditions. In a container garden, nemesia can easily be encouraged to trail over the sides of pots or hanging baskets, making it an excellent "spiller" element if you follow the simple container garden formula of using a filler, a spiller, and a thriller plant. As long as your nemesia plant isn't a patented variety, you can save its seeds to grow again next year as well.