GOHENKA

Antirrhinum – a decorative perennial plant of the plantain family, widely cultivated in warm dry regions of the Mediterranean and southern Europe. In gardening, the Antirhinum majus L. species is most commonly used, which can be grown as an annual or a biennial. The plant prefers open sunny spots protected from wind, yet it is cold-hardy, making it suitable for various climate zones.

The appearance of Antirrhinum is attractive due to its compact form: a low-growing bushy habit with a height of up to 30–40 cm allows the plant to be used in low borders, planters, and balcony boxes. The flowers are large, two-lipped, gathered in spike-like inflorescences, and available in various monochromatic and two-toned shades – from white and yellow to dark red and pink. Its unique ability to bloom both in spring and autumn ensures a long flowering period, especially when seed pods are removed in time.

Care for Antirrhinum is simple: regular watering during periods of insufficient moisture, fertilization with mineral fertilizers 2–3 times before flowering begins, and removal of faded inflorescences to extend the flowering period. When growing seedlings, seeds are sown in February–March; seedlings appear within 10–14 days at a temperature of 18–21 °C, and pricking out occurs 5–6 weeks after seedlings emerge. For propagation, both seeds and cuttings are used: cuttings root in an inert substrate (peat, perlite) in about 3–4 weeks.

Antirrhinum is widely used in urban and private greening, creation of vertical gardens, and for cutting. When grown in water, flowers last 4–7 days, making the plant popular among florists. Thanks to its pleasant aroma and variety of colors, Antirrhinum becomes a valuable decorative element both in open ground and in protected greenhouse conditions.