Family: Plantaginaceae
Common name: Angelonia, Angel flower, Willowleaf Angelonia, Summer Snapdragon, Purple Passion, Aamapoovu, Angel mist, Grannie’s bonnets, Monkey face, Purple angelonia
Angelonia is a small, but beautiful garden plant that can produce flowers almost through the year in tropical climate. They can grow to a height of 50-70 cm tall with multiple stems that are green or purple in color.
Leaves are green or purple-green, narrow, lance-shaped, and about 5-7 cm in length with slightly serrated margins. The plants are known and loved for their beautiful flowers that are produced abundantly in small clusters.
The tall bunches of Angel flowers and their shapes resemble that of Snapdragon flowers, giving the plant is name Summer Snapdragon. The flowers look like singers with large gaping mouths surrounded by tiny white hairs and small projections on the upper and lower lips.
They are only 1-2 cm in diameter and comes in many beautiful colors like white, blue, pink, and purple. The plant also produces small seedpods containing numerous seeds.
Gardening tips
Like most flowering plants, Angel flowers prefer bright direct sunlight for 6-8 hours a day. Regular watering and fertilization can help the plant grow and bloom well. Plant them in a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil and water regularly especially during summer months.
Remove spent flowers with a gentle pruning to keep the plant healthy and bushy. Angel flowers look beautiful in flower beds or as border plants. A single large pot with multi-colored Angel flowers can make an awesome centerpiece for your garden.
These plants are native to Brazil and Venezuela and the name comes from its name in Venezuela, Angelon. They are very closely related to Angelonia angustifolia which has roughly oval leaves compared to the lance-shaped leaves of Angelonia salicariifolia.
They attract small birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators who love the plant for its nectar and also the small seeds, thus improving the flowering and fruiting of other plants in your garden.
Angelonia plants have a long blooming period throughout summer and spring and are hence loved by gardeners. They cannot be grown indoors since they need bright, direct sunlight almost throughout the day.
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
