Beginner-Friendly & Beautiful Snapdragon Flowers Will Attract Butterflies To Your Yard

When you're getting your hands into garden dirt for the first time, it can feel intimidating. But there are plenty of flowers that beginner gardeners can grow that can bring more than just beautiful blooms to your yard. If you want to see butterflies flitting from bloom to bloom, consider growing snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus). These flowers come in a wide variety of heights and colors and are generally disease and pest-free, making them a good choice for beginners looking for an easy win in the garden.

Common buckeye caterpillars love to snack on snapdragons, and because these plants love cool weather, they make great early-season host plants for your winged friends' larvae. However, the tubular flowers attract more than just one kind of butterfly. Swallowtails, cabbage white, pearl crescent, and grey hairstreak butterflies all like to stop by these pretty flowers for a meal. Snapdragons are also a fan-favorite for hummingbirds, so you may see them stopping by as well.

Mostly grown as annuals in full sun, snapdragons are only hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10. That means, if you get cold winters, these plants probably won't be coming back in the spring. Still, they are perfect for beginners because they are easy plants to grow. However, beginners may want to rethink growing snapdragons from seed and head to the nursery to find starter plants instead. As long as they have soil rich in organic matter that stays moist but drains well, they should be happy.

Snapdragons can also thrive in pots or in the ground, so they will work for people looking to start a container garden or new homeowners with garden borders to fill. Choose a good organic potting soil if you plan to grow these or any flower in containers. If you're planning to plant snapdragons in the ground, learn about organic matter in the soil so you can create healthy growing conditions.

One of the main things to keep in mind when caring for snapdragons is overwatering. The few diseases that impact these flowers are mostly fungal and a direct result of overwatering. So, when in doubt, check the soil to make sure it's mostly dry before watering. If blooming slows, cut the plants back and fertilize them to encourage new blooms. Don't be worried if they slow down in the summer heat, they may bounce back in the fall. If you need more advice, learn how to grow and care for snapdragons.

As we already mentioned, snapdragons come in many sizes and colors. It can almost be overwhelming when you're trying to find the perfect snapdragon to grow. Start by deciding what size you need. If you're growing your plants in containers, a dwarf variety might be the best bet. The snapdragon 'Twinny Appleblossom' starts out pale pink and becomes white as the flowers mature, and they only grow to about 12 inches tall.

On the other end of the color spectrum is 'Black Prince' which has dark, crimson flowers and grows to 18 inches tall. It also has bronze foliage and will work well in a garden with a more dramatic color palette. If you're looking for a snapdragon to bring height to the garden, 'Rocket Hybrid' in mixed colors will grow to 3 feet tall and make great cut flowers. The more you cut them, the more blooms you will get. Whatever variety you choose, consider pairing them with these flowering companions you'll want to plant near snapdragons to ensure your garden looks its best.