SPERLI Löwenmäulchen Zwerg-Wunderteppich

A dwarf snapdragon of just 10 to 20 cm that forms multicoloured carpets of flowers for bed edges and borders – from July to October.

The story

Origins & history

The snapdragon comes from the western Mediterranean, where it grows on rocks and walls, and has adorned European gardens for centuries. Its botanical name Antirrhinum comes from Greek and means “nose-like” – after the shape of the flower.

Uses

As a low-growing variety it suits bed edges, borders and ground-covering plantings. Regular deadheading encourages new flowers. Children love to squeeze the flowers gently at the sides: the little “mouth” then opens.

Meaning

The snapdragon has a special place in science: geneticists used it to study how flowers acquire their shape. Its German name, Löwenmäulchen, means “little lion’s mouth” – there, too, people saw a mouth in the play of the flower.

A thought for giving

The closed flower only opens for visitors strong enough, such as bumblebees. Some beautiful things only reveal themselves to those who knock with courage.

At a glance

• Contents: 1 packet for approx. 60 plants
• Botanical name: Antirrhinum majus
• Life cycle: annual
• Height: 10–20 cm
• Position: sunny, partial shade
• Sow indoors: February–April
• Sow outdoors: April–May, July
• Flowering: July–October
• Sowing depth: 0–0.5 cm
• Germination temperature: 15–20 °C
• Germination time: 7–14 days
• Plant spacing: 20 cm
• Row spacing: 20 cm
• Seed type: loose seed

How to sow

1. Start off from February to April in the PRO24 propagator with Seed Compost, or sow directly in April, May or July.
2. Simply press the fine seeds in or cover them thinly with no more than 0.5 cm of soil.
3. At 15 to 20 °C they germinate in 7 to 14 days.
4. Plant 20 cm apart in sun or partial shade; one portion is enough for about 60 plants.

Delivery time: 1–2 weeks. Manufacturer: SPERLI GmbH. Seeds, not a plant – the image shows the original packet.

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