Asarina procumbens aka Trailing Snapdragon

Asarina procumbens is a low perennial called trailing snapdragon. It belongs to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. Its native range runs from southern France into northeastern Spain. An older name is Antirrhinum asarina. The plant creeps along the ground rather than standing upright. Its stems spread out to make a broad mat. It keeps its leaves where winters stay warm.

Garden plants reach about 0.16–0.33 feet [0.05–0.10 metres] tall. Their spread can reach 1.6–2 feet [0.5–0.61 metres]. The low height makes the trailing stems its main feature. Leaves are gray-green, rounded to kidney-shaped, and slightly sticky. They have shallow lobes or coarse teeth along their edges. Each leaf can reach about 0.16 feet [0.05 metres] long. This close mat of leaves gives the plant ground-cover value.

The flowers look like small snapdragon blooms, with two lips. They are pale yellow, with deeper yellow inside the throat. Fine purple veins mark the throat as well. Each flower grows alone where a leaf meets the stem. Blooms reach about 0.11 feet [0.035 metres] long. Missouri Botanical Garden lists flowering from June to July. Cool summers give the best flower display.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade. The RHS also recommends it for shaded garden sites. Choose soil that drains well but holds some moisture. Sandy loam with plenty of organic matter suits it well. It also grows in chalk, loam, or sand. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils are all suitable. Water needs are moderate, though it tolerates dry-to-moist conditions. The RHS rates its hardiness H4. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 6–9. Winter survival can still vary with the site and climate.

Use it in rock gardens, raised beds, or on banks. Let the stems trail over stone walls or container rims. It also suits planting beneath roses and shrubs. In colder sites, gardeners may grow it as an annual. A sheltered spot and winter mulch may help it overwinter. It can self-seed when conditions suit it. Seedlings may keep it present after older plants die. Raise new plants from seed or shoot-tip cuttings. It needs no routine pruning and little upkeep. Both horticultural sources report few pest or disease problems.