Angelonia angustifolia (Serena Series)

• Recommended Use: Warm-season color bedding plant
• Exposure: Full sun
• Size: Height: 12 to 18 inches
• Habit: Short height, mounding, trailing
• Bloom Time: Summer until frost
• Maintenance Category: Easy
• Water Use: Medium to average
• Highlights: Very reliable performer in all areas of Louisiana; tolerates heat, humidity and drought well with long-lasting, colorful blooms and fragrant foliage as a summer bedding plant.

Summary

Serena series angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia, Serena Series) are herbaceous perennials grown as a warm-season color bedding plants in Louisiana. It is often referred to as summer snapdragon because its elegant flowers resemble an open-mouthed dragon. This plant grows as a bushy, spreading plant with narrow, dark green foliage and spikes of flowers that come in colors of mauve, pink, purple, blue and white. They are vibrant and prolific bloomers from May through October and thrive in the summer heat and humidity. Serena angelonia is a gorgeous addition to the landscape and can be used as a border planting, a ground cover or as a spilling plant for containers. It is also fantastic for attracting butterflies, bees and hummingbirds and the leaves are fragrant to boot!

Requirements

• Well-drained soil with pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
• Full sun to partial shade throughout the day for best performance.
• Requires regular watering weekly or more often in extreme heat until established.

Growth Habit

• Compact, spreading growth habit. Can grow up to 10 to 14 inches tall and 10 to 14 inches wide.
• Can be grown as a color border planting or a ground cover or used in containers.
• Plant spacing should be 12 to 15 inches. Massed effect spacing for plants 8 to 12 inches apart.
• Hardiness zones 8 to 11.

Care and Maintenance

• Angelonia should be watered regularly for best performance, but established plantings are moderately drought tolerant. Allow the soil to dry out between watering.
• No pruning necessary, but periodic trimming is recommended to control the size and encourage healthy new growth.
• A slow-release fertilizer incorporated into the soil at planting time will ensure uniform growth. Supplement the slow-release fertilizer with liquid feed as needed to keep plants looking their best.
• Watch for aphids, spider mites, whitefly and fungal disease, such as powdery mildew and root rot.
• Serena angelonia can be seed-grown. Start seeds indoors about 10 to 12 weeks before last spring frost date. Plants may also be purchased in spring from local nurseries.
• Deadheading is not required.
• Providing adequate drainage to help prevent problems with root rot.

Varieties for Louisiana Landscapes

Current varieties within the Serena series include Serena purple angelonia, Serena rose angelonia, Serena white angelonia, Serena blue angelonia and Serena waterfall mixture Angelonia, which are all well suited to most areas of Louisiana.