Angelonia angustifolia

Angelonia is a vigorous, herbaceous flowering perennial shrub in the Plantaginaceae family and native to Mexico and the West Indies. It is an upright, glabrous, somewhat bushy, tropical that sprawls, but does not need staking. Angelonia is noted for its long summer bloom of small, two-lipped, snapdragon-like flowers and it does not need deadheading. This plant was formerly in the Scrophulariaceae family. The genus name comes from the Latinized version of the South American vernacular name of one of the species of these perennial herbs and sub-shrubs.

Angelonia prefers moist, fertile soils with good drainage in full sun. The plant has some drought tolerance and good tolerance for summer heat and humidity. Space plants 9 to 12 inches apart in the ground. Plants typically grow 12 to 18 inches tall.

Plants grown in containers may be difficult to overwinter indoors and many backyard gardeners will treat the plant as an annual and obtain new plants each spring. Cultivars are available in white, blue, and light pink..

Use this plant in borders, groups or containers to add a long summer season or color.

Insects Diseases and Other Plant Problems:   Susceptible to aphids and powdery mildew. Some cultivars have shown excellent resistance to phytophthora root rot or stem rot while other cultivars had poor resistance. See Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot in the Landscape.