Snapdragons are cheerful, colorful, and irresistibly nostalgic flowers that can instantly add a playful touch to any garden. Known for their unique dragon-shaped blooms that snap open and shut when squeezed, these plants come in a delightful range of colors and heights. Snapdragons thrive in cool weather, making them ideal for spring and fall gardens. Whether you prefer tall, stately spikes or compact mounds of color, there’s a snapdragon for every garden. Here are 9 of the best snapdragon varieties to brighten up your playful garden.
1. Rocket Series
The Rocket Series snapdragons are among the tallest varieties, growing up to 3–4 feet high. Their sturdy spikes produce dense clusters of bright, showy blooms in shades of red, pink, yellow, white, and orange. Ideal for back borders or as a dramatic focal point, these snapdragons are also excellent for cut flower arrangements. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer cooler temperatures. Their tall, upright growth adds vertical interest to playful, colorful gardens, making them a must-have for classic cottage garden designs.
2. Madame Butterfly Series
If you love double, ruffled blooms with old-fashioned charm, the Madame Butterfly Series is a perfect pick. These snapdragons feature azalea-like flowers with a romantic, layered appearance in pastel and vibrant hues. They grow to about 2–3 feet tall, making them suitable for mid-border planting or large containers. Besides their visual appeal, these snapdragons are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Their lush, frilly petals bring softness and texture to playful garden settings, especially when mixed with other whimsical flowers like cosmos or zinnias.
3. Sonnet Series
Sonnet snapdragons are beloved for their reliable performance, uniform height, and strong, upright growth. Reaching about 18–24 inches tall, they produce a profusion of vibrant blooms in reds, pinks, yellows, oranges, and whites. These versatile plants work well in garden beds, borders, and mixed containers. They are early bloomers and tolerate mild frosts, making them a great choice for both spring and fall planting. With their bold colors and compact spikes, Sonnet snapdragons add lively energy to playful gardens without overwhelming other plantings.
4. La Bella Series
For gardeners looking for snapdragons that bloom prolifically in a compact, bushy form, the La Bella Series delivers. Growing up to 12 inches tall, these snapdragons are perfect for edging, window boxes, and hanging baskets. They come in a spectrum of bright, playful colors and bloom continuously throughout the cooler months. La Bella snapdragons are ideal for small gardens, patios, or balconies where space is limited but color is still desired. Their low-growing, mounding habit adds a charming pop of texture and color to playful, informal garden settings.
5. Twinny Series
A favorite among gardeners seeking something a little different, the Twinny Series features unique, double-flowered snapdragons with softly ruffled petals. These plants grow up to 12–15 inches tall and are available in warm, sunset shades like peach, bronze, lemon, and rose. Twinny snapdragons are heat-tolerant and bloom abundantly through spring and summer, making them one of the few snapdragons suitable for warmer regions. Their delicate blooms and compact form make them ideal for containers, borders, or mixed garden beds where their cheerful personality shines.
6. Liberty Classic Series
The Liberty Classic Series offers tall, elegant snapdragons that grow up to 30 inches high, producing uniform spikes in a wide palette of bright and pastel colors. Known for their consistent growth and excellent branching, these snapdragons work beautifully in cutting gardens, cottage-style borders, or mass plantings. They thrive in full sun and cool temperatures, offering multiple flushes of blooms from spring into early summer. Liberty Classic snapdragons lend a playful yet graceful touch to flowerbeds with their vertical spikes and vivid colors.
7. Brighton Rock
A nostalgic heirloom variety, Brighton Rock snapdragons are cherished for their old-world charm and delightful, multi-colored blooms. Each flower features unique color combinations and streaks, making every plant one of a kind. Growing up to 24 inches tall, these snapdragons are excellent for garden borders, cottage gardens, and floral arrangements. Their fragrant blooms attract pollinators and bring a whimsical, vintage feel to playful gardens. Brighton Rock’s unpredictable colors and classic snapdragon shape make it a delightful addition for gardeners who love surprises.
8. Chantilly Series
The Chantilly Series snapdragons are known for their open-faced, butterfly-like blooms and tall, elegant spikes. These snapdragons grow up to 36 inches and are available in both soft pastels and bold jewel tones. Their unique, open-throated flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds and bees. Chantilly snapdragons bloom early and continue producing flowers through cool seasons. They’re perfect for adding vertical interest and a touch of elegance to playful, informal gardens, and they perform well in both garden beds and large containers.
9. Montego Series
Compact, bushy, and bursting with color, the Montego Series snapdragons are perfect for low borders, containers, and small garden spaces. Growing up to 10–12 inches tall, these snapdragons produce dense, upright flower spikes in bright hues like red, yellow, white, and purple. Montego snapdragons are early bloomers and can handle cooler spring and autumn weather. Their compact form makes them ideal for gardeners who want to create playful, color-packed displays along pathways, in flower boxes, or as cheerful accents in mixed beds.
Final Thoughts
Snapdragons bring a sense of whimsy, color, and vintage charm to any garden. Whether you favor the tall spikes of Rocket snapdragons, the frilly petals of Twinny Series, or the heirloom beauty of Brighton Rock, these nine varieties offer a playful palette for every garden style. Plant them in mixed borders, containers, or cutting gardens, and enjoy their long-lasting blooms and appeal to pollinators. Mix and match different heights and colors to create a dynamic, joyful display that keeps your outdoor space lively and beautiful.