Antirrhinum majus, commonly known as the snapdragon, is a popular ornamental flower cherished for its distinctive, mouth-like blooms and exceptional range of colors. This garden favorite has been cultivated for centuries, resulting in one of the most extensive color palettes available to gardeners.
The Broad Spectrum of Solid Hues
Snapdragons present a dazzling array of solid colors, covering almost every part of the warm side of the color wheel. The reds are particularly strong, ranging from bright scarlet and fire-engine red to deep crimson shades.
The spectrum extends into vibrant pinks, encompassing soft, pale rose to saturated magenta and lilac tones. Yellows offer a bright contrast, featuring shades from pale lemon to rich gold and deep ochre. Orange varieties include apricot, peach, tangerine, and salmon-colored blooms. Pure white snapdragons provide a clean, elegant option that highlights the intensity of the other colors.
Understanding Color Limitations
Despite the broad color range, snapdragons do not naturally produce a true blue pigment. This limitation stems from the plant’s genetic makeup. The snapdragon lacks the necessary enzyme, flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase (F3’5’H), required to synthesize the anthocyanidin compound delphinidin. Delphinidin is the precursor molecule that creates blue and true violet coloration in many other flowers.
The darkest colors available, such as deep burgundy, mahogany, or near-black, are achieved by heavily concentrating red and purple anthocyanin pigments. These dark varieties absorb nearly all light, giving the illusion of black, but they are genetically and chemically a very deep red-purple. Breeders continue to work with the existing pathways to push the boundaries of coloration, but the absence of the specific enzyme means a genuine blue remains out of reach without genetic modification.
Striped, Speckled, and Bicolored Varieties
Beyond the solid colors, snapdragons offer complex patterns. Bicolored varieties are common, where the two lips of the flower display different, contrasting colors. A popular combination involves a primary petal color with a distinct throat color, often yellow or white.
Other patterned types include streaked or striped blooms, where pigment is unevenly distributed across the petals. This creates a feathered or mottled effect. Some variations exhibit a picotee edge, where a narrow, contrasting line outlines the rim of the petal. Cultivars like those in the ‘Madame Butterfly’ or ‘DoubleShot’ series often showcase these intricate color arrangements, providing unique texture and depth.