Rocket F1
Tall, upright plants with strong stems and good weather tolerance.
When to plant Snapdragons in Durham
Antirrhinum majus
A half-hardy bedding flower for a bright, long-running display in a sheltered UK border or container. Start seeds under cover, then plant out after frost risk has passed and keep deadheading for a long flowering season.
60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water
Calibrated to Durham · last frost ≈ 10 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
01
Sow Seeds Indoors
1 Mar to 5 AprSow seeds thinly on the surface of moist compost in modules or trays around 1st March - 5th April. Do not cover them, as light helps germination. Keep them at in a bright place and water gently from below.
02
Prick Out Seedlings
15 Mar to 3 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stageWhen seedlings are large enough to handle, move them into small pots and grow them on from 15th March. Keep the compost just moist and give them plenty of light so they do not get leggy.
03
Harden Off
10 May to 7 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stageAcclimatise the young plants outside over 10th May - 7th June. Put them out for a few hours at first, then leave them out longer each day so they can handle cooler air and sun without a setback.
04
Plant Out
24 May to 7 JunPlant into final positions from 24th May, spacing them apart. Water in thoroughly straight away and keep fleece handy if a cold snap is forecast.
05
Deadhead & Maintain
23 Jun to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksRemove fading flowers regularly from 23rd June so the plants keep flowering rather than putting energy into seed. Water during dry spells and feed lightly every 14 days to keep growth steady through the season.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Snapdragon to consider
Sonnet Mixed
A reliable half-hardy group with a wide colour range and neat growth.
Madame Butterfly
Double-flowered blooms on branching plants, good for cutting and borders.
Twinny Mix
Compact, double-flowered plants suited to pots and the front of borders.
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Calabrese
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Snapdragon guides by town
See how Snapdragon timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.