10 Vibrant Flowering Companions You'll Want To Plant Near Snapdragons In The Garden

The late season flower garden is often the most visually dynamic time of the gardening calendar. One popular flower that provides weeks of color is the snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus). Although often grown as an annual, snapdragons are perennial in warmer zones, and sometimes reseed themselves, providing blooms the following season. There are a few different types of snapdragons, suitable to different growing zones, and snapdragons can be grown from seed if started indoors in spring. There are many colorful, late-blooming annuals and perennials that make perfect companions for snapdragons.

Snapdragons bloom well in partial to full sun with moderate watering. They like well-drained, loamy soil or, in containers, a rich potting mix. They range in size from 6 inches tall to nearly 3 feet, depending on the species. Popular varieties available in garden shops or from online seed vendors include Apollo, Cinderella, Admiral, and Chantilly. Taller cultivars like Rocket and Potomac snapdragons form strong central stems that produce side shoots full of new flower buds after the primary spikes have finished blooming. To achieve vibrant snapdragons through autumn, deadhead the spent blooms from your plants regularly.

Selecting companions for your snapdragons is easy, but try to combine a mix of heights, shapes, colors, and textures. The vast color range (shades of white, pink, yellow, orange, red, and burgundy) allows for many creative combinations. Some cultivars, like Rocket, even have a light spicy fragrance. Some snapdragons also have bi-colors or multiple hues on one flower, for a dramatic color statement in the garden.

Chrysanthemums are excellent companion plants for snapdragons, preferring the same rich, well-drained soil conditions. Mums will also bloom in partial sun, though they prefer full sun. While popular as autumn annuals, mums are easy to grow as perennials. Because both plants offer such a wide range of color, the possibilities for stunning autumn palettes are limitless. What about deep burgundy 'Madame Butterfly Red' snapdragons with mums in shades of gold and orange? Or try the pink-mauve tones of 'Potomac Lavender' or rosy pink 'Madame Butterfly Rose' snapdragons with magenta mums like 'High Style' or 'Debutante'.

Asters are another daisy-like flower that make great companions for snapdragons. Like mums, asters are autumn bloomers, but their differences include a wider range of color for mums, and a wider range of sizes for asters. Depending on the variety, asters range from 1 to 5 feet tall at maturity, giving you some flexible possibilities for placement in flower beds. Asters can be deadheaded as flowers fade, to keep blooms coming through fall. Blue or purple asters are a great choice to plant near snapdragons, including 'Wood's Blue', 'Wood's Purple', 'Bluebird', or 'Purple Dome'.

There are many sedum ground cover varieties. The late-blooming tall species (Sedum spectabile) are shrub-like plants topped with perky flowerheads that grow from 1 to 3 feet tall. Being a succulent, they like plenty of sun and are drought tolerant. The long lasting flowers range from pale pink to magenta to dusky red, with green fleshy leaves and stems. Some varieties sport reddish or maroon stems, like 'Matrona' or  'Night Embers', which would look gorgeous next to yellow snapdragons including bright 'Sonnet Yellow', pastel 'Orleans Early Lemon Yellow', or sunny heirloom 'Canary Bird'.

For a burst of warm glowing color beside your snapdragons, plant some easy-care marigolds. Grown from seed in spring, or purchased from a garden shop, these long lasting annuals need only regular deadheading, a sunny spot, and consistent moisture to bloom all season. Try creamy pale 'White Swan' or 'Eskimo' marigolds with vivid bi-color snapdragons like the pink-orange 'Cannes Orange II' or the red-yellow 'Snapshot' marigold. Deep orange 'Queen Sophia' or 'Durango Tangerine' marigolds also pair well with hot coral pink 'Maryland Flamingo' snapdragons.

Tall garden phlox is a great perennial for a late summer cottage garden, with colorful blooms lasting through fall. Whether tall heirlooms or more compact hybrids, these floriferous plants make a fabulous backdrop for snapdragons. They thrive in the same partial shade and rich, well-drained soil that snapdragons love. Both flowers come in a rainbow of colors for endless design possibilities. Try bright purple 'Amethyst' phlox with vibrant 'Orange Monaco' or delicate 'Chantilly Light Salmon' snapdragons. For a classy look, pair regal white 'David' or pale violet 'David's Lavender' phlox with deep ruby 'Black Prince' snapdragons.

These pollinator magnets come in tall and dwarf varieties in many beautiful colors. Like snapdragons, hummingbird mint likes full sun and well-drained soil, and will continue flowering into frost season. It also has a shape and appearance similar to snapdragons, making it an interesting companion plant, perfect for a cottage style garden. Try tall pale violet 'Blue Fortune' with snapdragons in shades of yellow and orange, or pair peachy colors of hummingbird mint ('Apache Sunset'  or 'Mango Tango') with a mix of Potomac snapdragons in red, burgundy, and/or lilac. 

Who doesn't love petunias? Whether planted among perennials in flower beds, or added to containers, these prolific bloomers add gorgeous color all season long. They pair beautifully with snapdragons, needing only occasional deadheading of spent bloom to keep them flowering until frost season arrives. Purple petunias make lovely companions for pale pink snapdragons. Try fragrant, violet-hued 'Evening Scentsation' or two-toned 'Daddy Blue' petunias with 'Opus III Lavender' or 'Rocket Pink' snapdragons. Or turn up the heat with bright red petunias (like 'Shock Wave Red') paired with fuchsia snapdragons like 'Chantilly Purple' or 'Fuchsia Floral Showers.'

The fragrant, tiny flowers of sweet alyssum cover low-growing, spreading plants. Though grown as annuals, they often reseed in the garden, forming dense weed-resistant mats. The flowers attract pollinators and work well in beds or spilling out of containers. The colors range from white to pale pink, light purple, magenta, and dark purple. Sweet alyssum reblooms in the fall, making it a good snapdragon companion. Try them in a colorful container arrangement that includes 'Deep Purple Wonderland' alyssum, with peachy-pink dwarf snapdragons combined with tall orange snapdragons. 

Coneflowers are excellent plants for attracting birds to the garden with their tasty seeds. There are also newer hybrid coneflowers that don't bear seeds but feature fluffy layers of petals. Both types attract pollinating insects. With so many gorgeous colors of coneflowers available now, these sun-loving perennials are a must in the late summer garden. Their round daisy-like flowers look terrific planted alongside slender spikes of snapdragons. You can pair single colors together, or try planting mixed shades together for a thrilling color display, like mixed Rocket snapdragons with the brilliant colors of 'Cheyenne Spirit' coneflowers.  

Lobelia, also known as cardinal flowers, come in an assortment of varieties, including tall spikes with red flowers. Lobelia erinus is a creeping variety with small flowers in shades of white, purple, and pale to deep blue. These annuals are handy for tucking into bare spots at the front of the bed. Shear off the first faded blooms and they will form new flowers quickly. Their fluffy, rounded shape contrasts well with slender-stemmed snapdragons. Blend lobelia's range of cool colors with bright pink snapdragons like 'Potomac Cherry Rose' or the orange-tinged 'Madame Butterfly Bronze Cherry'.