When to Plant Dwarf Snapdragons in a Window Box?

When to Plant

• The optimal time for planting snapdragons in window boxes depends where you live. In most parts of the country, the starter plants should be installed in early to mid spring, after all danger of frost has passed. They will live on until fall, when frosts will kill them. South of USDA zone 7, snapdragons can be installed in the fall, serving as bright window box subjects through the winter and into the following spring. Changing out companion plants in the window boxes will ensure a fresh display.

Window Box Culture

• Window box culture is similar to container culture for dwarf snapdragons. If you are growing from seed, start plants indoors at least six weeks before the last spring frost date for your area, if planting in spring. Start indoors or outdoors in mid summer if planting in early fall. Alternately, purchase snapdragon starter packs from a garden centers. Plant snapdragons in window boxes located in sunny positions and water and fertilize regularly. Deadhead to stimulate flower production. If plants become "leggy," growing spindly with few blooms, cut back by at least one-third, water and fertilize to rejuvenate the snapdragons.

Dwarf Varieties

• Many varieties of dwarf snapdragons are suitable for window box culture. Many are available as mixed seed assortment. The "Chimes" series (Antirrhinum majus "Chimes") grow 8 inches tall and are available in eight colors. For small window boxes, where extra-small plants are an asset, choose snapdragons from the "Floral Showers" series (Antirrhinum majus "Floral Showers"), with a mounding habit and a color array that includes bi-colors combining shades like red and yellow. The "Bells" (Antirrhinum "Bells"), available in mixed-color assortments, are dwarf snapdragons featuring flared individual blooms reminiscent of azalea flowers.

Companion Plants

• Good snapdragon companions include foliage and flower plants that share snapdragon's sun-loving requirements. For fall-planted boxes, pair bold or softly colored snapdragons with pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, in complementary shades. Add "Goldchild" variegated ivy (Hedera helix "Goldchild"), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 11, as a "spiller" to trail over the side. In cold weather climates, combine dwarf snapdragons with a "spiller" like "Blackie" sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas "Blackie"), hardy in USDA zone 11, but generally grown as an annual in other zones.