Snapdragon

A garden really lives only insofar as it is an expression of faith, the embodiment of a hope and a song of praise. – Russell Page, The Education of a Gardener, 1962

I’ve been digging for the history of various flowers, and came across some interesting tidbits about the snapdragon. Did you know that this flower originated in southern Spain, and later spread into the entire Roman Empire? The Snapdragon was popular for decorative purposes (as opposed to medicinal uses like certain other plants), and according to one source via the University of Hamburg, I learned that many ancient ruins of that era still have snapdragons popping up every year. While they’re not considered true perennials, they tend to act like a perennial if the climate is just right. Most snapdragons are self-seeding annuals, so they will come back each year, normally in greater numbers, but they are technically not the same plants as the years before; just proud “parents” & “grandparents”.

Here’s a snapdragon from my flowerbeds out back. From the two I planted last spring, I now have almost a dozen! I wonder what next year will bring? Gardening is a neverending surprise!