Angelonia Angustifolia

‘Angelface’, ‘Summer Snapdragon’ & ‘Serena Lavender’

Looking at the sweet hybrids of Angelonia Angustifolia, it is hard to believe that these perennials can be so at home in full sun outdoors – they simply look far too delicate.

Angelonias have a relaxed, spreading growth pattern with many stems, all of which become covered in long racemes of tiny, snapdragon-like flowers. One doesn’t often see such glorious summer colour that can fit so many bills: they are perfect for mixed flowerbeds, as companions in a rose garden, and for planting en masse in pots where the flower stems tumble over the edges. They look lovely softening the view around a strong accent plant, such as a cordyline, and they hold their own between other perennials in a townhouse garden. A. Angustifolia has once again appeared on the gardening scene in a more floriferous and newer form, the Angelonia ‘Serena’ series, with ‘Lavender’, ‘Lavender Pink’, ‘Purple’ and ‘White’ available.

Then we are blessed with the Angelonia‘Angelface’ range, which is a new group of Angelonias from Proven Winners.

These Angelonias have been selected for their vigour and ability to tolerate heat and have a slightly variable but generally compact growth habit. They are excellent for planting in large containers, raised beds or borders and garden and patio entrance areas. They make a lovely cut flower and are the most compact and large-flowered Angelonias on the market. The new Angelface range is protected by plant breeders’ rights and consists of ‘Blue’, ‘White’ and ‘Bi-colour’.

Angelonia ‘Angelface Blue’ bears violet-blue flowers with a white ‘eye’. It is the earliest and most continuously flowering of the Angelface varieties. The foliage is a darker green and compact.

Angelonia ‘Angelface White’ bears white flower trusses on vigorous, erect, bright green foliage, which is slightly larger than the other Angelface varieties.

Angelonia ‘Angelface Bi-colour’ bears white flowers that have splashes of blue on the ‘mouth’ and ‘cheeks’ of the flower. It is slightly later flowering than the other two varieties and has strong green foliage.

When does the Angelonia bloom?

Angelonias bloom repeatedly throughout summer. In autumn the floral display drops off and, in the colder months, the plants are semi-deciduous while they rest. This is when they most appreciate a mulch of compost or old manure.

Most suitable climate

They do well in the subtropical areas, the temperate summer rainfall areas and the Western Cape with its dry summers. They are sensitive to frost and cold.

What does the Angelonia need

Location: full sun, but morning sun and afternoon shade is also fine;

Soil: well-draining, fertile soil protected by a thick layer of mulch;

Water: water regularly during summer.

Fertilising and pruning: feed regularly using a water-soluble fertiliser, then in spring sprinkle some slow-release 3:1:5 around budding plants. Trim plants lightly during summer to remove spent flower stems, and then again at the start of spring to stimulate new growth.