by Mark Levisay

Len Lamm of the Corner Store Garden Center introduced me to a flowering annual that is new to me but looks like a worthwhile addition to your garden. “Archangel pink” angelonia (angelonia angustifolia) is a hybrid “summer snapdragon” developed by the Ball Seed Company. Even though it is often called the “summer snapdragon” it is actually not a true snapdragon and is in the same family of plants as penstemon and foxglove.

Easy-to-grow Angelonia works in containers or borders.

Low maintenance and deer resistant

Angelonia “Archangel pink” has a lot going for it. The upright plants are deer resistant and both heat and drought tolerant. They bloom from late spring through the summer, and don’t require deadheading. The long lasting flowers have a lovely scent and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The modest sized plants spread 10-12” horizontally and are typically from 12-14” tall. They’re considered low maintenance as they won’t require a lot of pruning or deadheading through their blooming season. The Angelonia flowers are also good for cut arrangements and remind me a little of orchid flowers.

Angelonia is a stunning addition to any garden.

A beautiful, unique plant for containers or borders

This Angelonia would seem like a welcome addition to a lot of containers, as it won’t overwhelm its neighbors with the upright habit and modest size. Combining this with some more low growing/spreading plants would be a winning combination. You can also plant this in a border for the long lasting pink color or in groups where you’d appreciate their scent. Ball Seed advises watering two or three times per week for the first three weeks after you plant the Angelonia, but just weekly after that. Fertilizing once a month with a fertilizer like Espoma’s “Flower-Tone” should keep your plants blooming all summer long!

Give this beautiful annual a try and let me know how you like it. Any questions contact me at marklevisay@gmail.com.