There’s a certain magic to snapdragons, isn't there? That childhood delight of gently squeezing the blossoms to make the 'dragon's mouth' open and close is a memory many of us treasure.
But what if you could take that familiar, beloved shape and find it in other corners of the plant world? Imagine capturing that same vertical charm for a sun-drenched patio, a shadier spot, or simply to have a similar style of bloom flowering at different times of the year.
If you’ve ever wanted to broaden your garden’s horizons without losing that classic look, you’re in the right place. Get ready to meet nine stunning flowers that look like snapdragons and find a new favourite to fall in love with.
1. Linaria (Toadflax)
Often called the 'miniature snapdragon', Linaria is perhaps the most direct lookalike you can find. These dainty wildflowers have the exact same lipped, pouch-like flowers that grow up a slender stem, just on a smaller scale.
Common Toadflax has lovely 'butter and egg' colouring, but cultivated varieties offer a whole rainbow of pinks, purples, and whites. They are wonderfully easy to grow and self-seed politely, creating a soft, meadowy feel.
2. Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)
For a plant that offers a similar look but thrives in the summer heat, Angelonia is your answer. It produces continuous spikes of flowers all season long, standing up to sun and humidity without complaint.
While its flowers are slightly more open-mouthed than a true snapdragon, their shape and arrangement on the stalk give a very similar and beautiful impression in pots and borders.
3. Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Penstemons are hardy perennials that produce beautiful, tall spikes of tubular, bell-shaped flowers that are very reminiscent of snapdragons. They are a favourite of bees and other pollinators, adding life and movement to the garden.
Available in a huge range of colours from deep purples and bright reds to soft pinks and whites, there is a Penstemon for almost any garden scheme.
4. Foxglove (Digitalis)
While not a direct flower-for-flower match, the Foxglove provides the same dramatic, vertical accent in the garden that a tall snapdragon does. Its majestic spires are covered in large, bell-shaped blossoms, often with beautiful speckles inside.
It's a classic choice for a cottage garden, adding height and structure, but do remember all parts of the plant are toxic and should be handled with care.
5. Monkey Flower (Mimulus)
The individual flowers of the Monkey Flower look strikingly similar to snapdragons, with a distinct two-lipped shape and often a spotted throat.
These plants typically love moist, boggy conditions, making them a perfect snapdragon substitute for a damp spot in the garden where snapdragons might struggle. They come in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red, adding a cheerful splash of colour.
6. Nemesia
Nemesia is a delightful annual that produces masses of small, colourful flowers that look like tiny snapdragons.
The blooms are incredibly fragrant, especially on warm days, and they create a stunning visual impact when grown in hanging baskets or containers where they can spill over the edges. They flower profusely for months on end, asking for very little in return.
7. Salvia
Many varieties of Salvia, particularly Salvia nemorosa, grow in a way that echoes the form of snapdragons. They produce dozens of slender, upright spikes densely packed with small, lipped flowers, creating a sea of colour, usually in shades of intense blue, violet, and pink.
Salvias are brilliant for attracting bees and are very drought-tolerant once they get established.
8. Chelone (Turtlehead)
This fascinating perennial gets its name from its unique flowers, which look remarkably like the head of a turtle. The puffy, two-lipped blossoms have the same basic structure as a snapdragon and appear in late summer, providing colour when other plants are starting to fade.
Chelone loves moist soil and partial shade, making it another excellent choice for those trickier damp parts of the garden.
9. Lupin (Lupinus)
If it's the bold, architectural spire of flowers you love about snapdragons, then the Lupin is an absolute must-have.
While its flowers are more like those of a pea, they are packed tightly onto towering spikes that create an unrivalled vertical statement. Available in a breathtaking range of colours and bicolours, Lupins bring structure, drama, and classic cottage garden charm.
Conclusion About Flowers That Look Like Snapdragons
Whether you opt for the wild charm of Toadflax or the summer endurance of Angelonia, you don't have to look far to find that beloved snapdragon shape. These alternatives give you new ways to enjoy a classic look, adding variety and resilience to your garden.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers That Look Like Snapdragons
Which Of These Alternatives Are The Easiest For A Beginner Gardener?
For beginners, Linaria (Toadflax), Salvia, and Angelonia are fantastic choices. Linaria often self-seeds and requires almost no care once established. Salvia is famously drought-tolerant and reliable, while Angelonia provides non-stop blooms through the heat of summer with very little fuss, making it incredibly rewarding.
How Do I Grow Toadflax In My Garden?
Toadflax is wonderfully low-maintenance. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. You can sow seeds directly into the garden in spring. It self-seeds readily, so once you have it established, it will likely return each year without any extra effort.
Which Of These Flowers Will Thrive In A Damp Or Shady Part Of The Garden?
For those trickier, damper parts of the garden, you should look to Monkey Flower (Mimulus) and Turtlehead (Chelone). Both of these plants naturally prefer moist soil and will perform beautifully where others might struggle. Foxgloves can also handle partial shade very well, especially in the afternoon.
Are These Flowers Good For Creating Cut Flower Arrangements?
Many of them are brilliant for cutting! Foxgloves, Lupins, and Penstemons provide wonderful height and drama to a vase. Linaria adds a delicate, airy touch, and Angelonia is a long-lasting filler. Salvia also works well, adding a different texture and form to bouquets.
Besides Their Shape, What Makes These Good Alternatives To Snapdragons?
Beyond their similar appearance, these plants offer solutions for different garden challenges. They provide options for various climates (like heat-loving Angelonia), soil types (like moisture-loving Chelone), and maintenance levels. They also attract a wide range of pollinators and offer different textures, colours, and fragrances, allowing you to create a more diverse and resilient garden.
