Texas Gardening: Snapdragons / Angelonia for spring, summer, respectively?, 1 by Connie_G

Connie_G wrote:
Over breakfast this morning I read our local paper the Austin American-Statesman and found an interesting article entitled "Snapdragons add pizzazz to any garden, even in summer" in which they include my favorite of the last few years -- angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) , which they call a " south-of-the-border native plant known as summer snapdragon" and call the snapdragon its "Mediterranean cousin."

The article says (which we South or Central Texans know) that snapdragons can't last in our heat, usually stopping their blooms in mid-April. So the article suggests then planting angelonia which lasts until October, and then it's time to plant (or they come up from self-sowing) the "cool-weather relative! What a wonderful full-year circle of gorgeous blooms!

I have enjoyed both for several years, but didn't realize they are "related" (correct me if I'm wrong--I'm a rather new gardener of the last 5 years!)

Are any of you lovers of these two cousins like I am? Any suggestions for growing "bigger/better" ones, etc.?