island snapdragon
Gambelia speciosa
USDA zones9 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size3 to 4 feet tall8 to 10 feet wide
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, winter
- Bloom color
- Red
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Island snapdragon (Gambelia speciosa) is a shrub for containers, hedges, and ground cover. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 9 and warmer, down to about 20°F (-7°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to average soil of most types. Bright red, snapdragon-shaped flowers are its best feature, and hummingbirds and butterflies visit them. The stems often trail out nearly flat, so it makes a good ground cover.
Pairs well with California brittlebush, Island tree poppy, and Coast live oak.
Native range
CA.