Antirrhinum Potomac Orange F1: The Gold Standard for Summer Snapdragons
Antirrhinum Potomac Orange F1 represents the pinnacle of modern snapdragon breeding. While many older varieties struggle and go to seed when the summer heat hits, the Potomac series is built to excel in those conditions. The flowers are a complex, fruity orange with hints of pink and yellow in the throat, creating a glowing effect in the garden. Because this is an F1 hybrid, you can expect remarkable uniformity in height and flowering time, ensuring your display looks professional and consistent.
Sowing and Germination Requirements
To get the height and stem quality this variety is famous for, you must start Antirrhinum Potomac Orange F1 under cover.
- When to Sow: Sow indoors from January to March.
- Light is Critical: These seeds are tiny and require light to germinate. Surface sow onto a fine, moist seed compost and do not cover them. Simply press the seeds gently into the surface to ensure good contact.
- Care: Use a propagator or a warm windowsill (18-21°C). To avoid “damping off”—a common snapdragon issue—water only from below by placing the tray in water, and ensure good ventilation once the seedlings emerge.
Growth Habit: To Pinch or Not to Pinch?
How you grow Antirrhinum Potomac Orange F1 depends on your goal.
- For the Florist Look: If you want a single, massive, show-stopping spike (often seen in professional bouquets), do not pinch the central stem. Give the plant support with a stake or netting to keep it perfectly straight.
- For a Garden Display: If you prefer more flowers over a longer period, “pinch out” the growing tip when the plant has 4–6 leaves. This encourages the plant to branch out, resulting in a bushier habit with more (though slightly shorter) flower spikes.
Wildlife Interaction: A Lesson for the Garden
The “snap” in snapdragon is actually a clever evolutionary gate. The flowers of Antirrhinum Potomac Orange F1 are tightly closed to protect their nectar from smaller insects. Only heavier pollinators, primarily bumblebees, have the weight and strength to force the “hinge” open and climb inside. Watching bumblebees shoulder their way in and emerge covered in golden pollen is one of the highlights of growing this variety.
Harvesting for the Home
For the longest vase life, harvest your Antirrhinum Potomac Orange F1 when the bottom third of the flowers on the spike have opened. If you wait until the whole spike is in bloom, the lower flowers will begin to fade shortly after you bring them indoors. Regular deadheading of spent spikes will encourage the plant to produce a second flush of flowers, keeping your garden vibrant from June through to the first frosts of autumn.
The Grown Local Verdict “Antirrhinum Potomac Orange F1 is a world away from the short, squat snapdragons you find in garden centres. It is a tall, elegant, and hard-working variety that produces some of the best orange blooms we’ve seen. It requires a bit of care during the seedling stage, but the reward is a ‘Group 3-4’ performer that absolutely loves the British summer sun.





