The unrivalled king of the tall snaps, Rocket boasts big, densely packed plumes atop vigorous 2½- to 3-foot plants, glowing with color in cool, sunny weather. The more you cut, the more you get with this very floriferous performer, and the flowers emit a rich, spicy scent you will love in the garden or the vase. Rocket mix contains the full spectrum of snapdragon colors.
This tall variety is best in the back of the border, the bed, or the cutting garden. It combines well with other spring and fall annuals, adding plenty of vertical color. The blooms open from the bottom up on these long spikes, so the lower blooms are in full flower when the tip of the spike is still tightly budded. A beloved favorite of gardeners across the country for its spectacular color and robust garden performance, Rocket is the snap you want for dramatic blooms and plenty of them.
If you have never "snapped" a snapdragon, here is how to do it:
You'll notice that the blooms form two separate cupped clusters that meet in the middle, like jaws. Gently squeeze the sides of the jaws, and the two clusters will separate, just like a mouth opening. The space is just the right size for a child's finger to poke into the dragon's mouth. Release the bloom and the jaws "snap" closed.
Seeds may be direct sown or started indoors for earlier blooms. Snaps are cool-season annuals that bloom in spring and fall in warm areas, summer in colder climates. In very warm locations they may winter over if mulched. They do best in full sun to light shade.
