Summer snapdragon 'Serena White'

In temperate areas (outside of zones 9-11), it can be grown as an annual or in a container to be brought indoors in colder zones.²

Angelonia should have regular watering for best performance, but established plantings are moderately drought tolerant. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.² Propagate by tip cuttings, division of the root mass, or collected seed. For tip cuttings, use a rooting hormone, bottom heat and high relative humidity. Start cuttings about 6 weeks before the first fall frost. They should be well-rooted within 2 to 3 weeks. Do not overwater, as it is quite drought-tolerant – allow the soil to dry out between waterings².

Root divisions may be made in late summer by simply digging and cutting apart the root mass. These clumps of roots can be potted into 1-gallon containers and over-wintered indoors for replanting in the garden after the last spring frost. Be sure to keep plants in the sunniest and warmest area indoors. Once flowering has ceased, cut the plants back by one half, and allow the soil to dry briefly between waterings during the winter.

For container growing, use at least a 3-gallon (ie, 10 inch/25 cm/10 litre) pot, with good drainage holes and stone chips at the bottom.

Try to plant in a location that enjoys full sun and remember to water moderately. Keep in mind when planting that Serena White is thought of as half hardy, so it will need cloching or fleece protection when the temperature dips.

These seeds need light to germinate, and take 7 to 14 days for seedlings to appear. For a head start, sow seed indoors at 70-75 F (21-24 C), 6-8 weeks before the last expected spring frost. Only low light is required for seed germination, but once the seedlings are up, they need a high light level in order to not become leggy.

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Serena White about 105 days before your last frost date.

Propagate angelonia from tip cuttings, by division of the root mass, or by seed. Takes about 4 weeks to root from cuttings.

Plant out rooted cuttings at 6-18 weeks. 1 cutting for small size pots (4"-6"/10cm-15cm), 2-3 cuttings for big size pots (8"-10"/20cm-25cm).

May require a total of 13 to 14 weeks from sowing from seed, before the first flowers can be expected. Pinching back the seedlings will help improve plant compactness and branching. Seedlings should be fertilized with a liquid fertilizer. ¹

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Serena White is a half hardy plant.

There are about 30 species of Angelonia native to the tropical and subtropical New World, but most are not well known in cultivation².

¹ Clemson Cooperative Extension

² Floridata

³ Better Homes & Gardens – Angelonia