Hybrid

Antibes Apricot I

Antirrhinum majus

Wikimedia Commons

Group 1 snapdragon best suited for cool-season production. Excellent quality stems and blooms in our early spring trials. Bred for performance under short days and low temperatures. Not recommended for summer-flowering production. Plants produce short thin stems under high-light summer temperatures and long-day conditions. Color is distinct from Avignon Apricot, which presents more yellow and cream in the blooms; whereas Antibes Apricot shows a stronger and more saturated peach color. Edible Flowers: The flowers are a colorful garnish for use in salads, desserts, and drinks. The flavor is floral and slightly bitter, so use sparingly.

Harvest

100-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

7–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Antibes Apricot I in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Antibes Apricot I · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining, neutral to slightly alkaline

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; avoid waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorFloral and slightly bitter with grassy undertones; delicate taste suitable for garnish use only

ColorSaturated peach

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

Antibes Apricot I produces over an extended period if you keep it cut, so there's no need to succession-sow the way you would with lettuce or radishes. Start one round indoors in February to March, transplant out in April once nights are reliably above 40°F, and that planting will carry you through late spring and into early summer. In zone 7, snapdragons tend to go leggy and stop setting flowers once daytime highs push past 85–90°F — at that point, cut them back hard or pull them and replace with a heat-tolerant summer annual. If you want fall blooms, start a second round of seeds indoors in late June and transplant out in August when temperatures start backing off.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium.

Harvesting

Antibes Apricot I reaches harvest at 100 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

A capsule, half hidden by calyx lobes, short-beaked.

Type: Capsule. Length: 1-3 inches.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut stems should be placed immediately in cool water (50-55°F) and kept in a cool room away from direct sun and ethylene-producing fruits. Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems at a 45-degree angle. Cut flowers last 7-10 days under ideal conditions. For edible flowers used as garnish, harvest florets same-day before use and store on damp paper towels in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

To preserve: Air-dry intact stems by hanging upside-down in a warm, dry, dark location for 2-3 weeks—dried flowers retain color well and work beautifully in arrangements. Alternatively, press individual florets between parchment paper under heavy books for 2-3 weeks for flat decoration use. Freezing is not recommended as it damages texture, though flowers can be frozen in ice cubes with water for decorative purposes only.

History & Origin

Antibes Apricot I is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Excellent stem and bloom quality during cool-season and early spring production
+Bred specifically for short-day and low-temperature performance conditions
+Distinct saturated peach color differentiates it from similar Avignon variety
+Edible flowers provide decorative garnish option for culinary applications
+Relatively easy to grow with straightforward cultivation requirements

Considerations

-Not suitable for summer flowering due to performance decline
-Produces short, thin stems under high-light summer temperatures
-Long-day conditions cause undesirable stem and growth characteristics
-Floral, slightly bitter flavor requires sparing use in edible applications

Companion Plants

Lavender and rosemary belong near snapdragons because their volatile oils genuinely disorient aphids and thrips on approach — and in our zone 7 Georgia garden, both overwinter reliably, so you're not replanting companions every spring. Tagetes patula (French marigold specifically, not the big African types) adds a second layer of pest confusion at ground level without shading out the snapdragons. Sweet alyssum flowers fast, pulls in parasitic wasps, and stays low enough to tuck into any gap without competing. Keep fennel and black walnut well clear — fennel is allelopathic to most annuals, and walnut roots leach juglone, a compound that will stunt or kill Antirrhinum before you figure out why it's struggling.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels aphids and attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies

Marigolds

Natural pest deterrent against nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Ground cover that attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps for natural pest control

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting pollinators

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting the snapdragons

Rosemary

Repels carrot flies, cabbage moths, and other pests with strong aromatic oils

Petunias

Natural pest repellent against aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps for pest control

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill snapdragons

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most flowering plants including snapdragons

Eucalyptus

Strong allelopathic compounds suppress growth of nearby flowering plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites (minor pest pressure compared to vegetables)

Diseases

Powdery mildew (in cool, humid conditions with poor air circulation)

Troubleshooting Antibes Apricot I

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing after cool, damp nights in spring or fall

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives when nights drop below 60°F with high humidity and air circulation is poor
Plants spaced tighter than 12 inches, trapping moisture between stems

What to Do

1.Thin or transplant any crowded plants to get airspace between them — 12 to 18 inches apart is not a suggestion
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tbsp per gallon of water) every 7 days until new growth looks clean
3.Water at the base in the morning only; wet foliage going into a cool night is asking for trouble

Stems collapsing at soil level on seedlings or young transplants, with a pinched, water-soaked look at the base

Likely Causes

Damping off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi in overly wet, poorly drained seed-starting mix
Overwatering flats during the germination window (days 7–14)

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected seedlings immediately — they won't recover and they'll spread the problem
2.Let the surface of your seed-starting mix dry slightly between waterings; Antirrhinum seedlings are not heavy drinkers at this stage
3.Use a sterile, soilless seed-starting mix — not garden soil pulled straight from the bed

Sticky residue on leaves and stems, with clusters of small soft-bodied insects on new growth tips or leaf undersides

Likely Causes

Aphids (likely Myzus persicae or Aphis gossypii) — they target soft new growth first
Whiteflies, especially if you're growing these near a greenhouse or overwintered plants

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm stream of water from a hose — do this in the morning so plants dry before evening
2.If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap (2 tsp per quart of water) directly to affected areas, making sure to hit the undersides of leaves
3.Tuck sweet alyssum into nearby gaps to draw in parasitic wasps — populations usually self-correct within two to three weeks once the wasps find the colony

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Antibes Apricot I snapdragons?▼

Plant in early spring (4-6 weeks before last spring frost, indoors first) for spring blooms, or late summer (8-10 weeks before first fall frost) for fall flowers. Never plant for summer flowering—this variety produces poor-quality stems and faded color in heat and long days. Timing is critical; sow seeds indoors in trays 6-8 weeks before your target bloom date.

How long does Antibes Apricot I take to flower?▼

From seed to first flowers typically takes 100-110 days under optimal cool conditions. Indoors, seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 65-70°F. Seedlings are ready to transplant in 4-5 weeks. After transplanting outdoors and hardening off, expect first flowers within 6-8 weeks in cool weather. Summer-grown plants may never flower properly.

Can you grow Antibes Apricot I in containers?▼

Yes, this variety grows well in containers 6-8 inches deep with well-draining potting mix. Space plants 12-18 inches apart if growing multiple pots together. Container growing actually provides an advantage in warm climates—move pots to shaded locations during peak heat to keep plants cool and maintain flower quality. Containers also allow gardeners in zones 9+ to grow this variety indoors under controlled cool conditions.

What does Antibes Apricot I taste like as an edible flower?▼

The flowers have a mild floral flavor with a slightly bitter, grassy finish. They are much more delicate and less sweet than many assume. Use sparingly as a garnish—a single floret adds visual appeal without overwhelming dishes. They work best in light desserts, cocktails, and salads where subtle flavor is desired. Not recommended for those who dislike bitter or herbal tastes.

Why is my Antibes Apricot I producing weak, thin stems?▼

This is the classic sign that you're trying to grow it in warm conditions or during long-day season. This variety is bred specifically for cool-season production and fails under high temperatures or summer day-length. Move plants to a cooler location, provide afternoon shade, or wait until fall to plant. Thin stems also result from overcrowding (space 12-18 inches apart) or excessive nitrogen fertilizer.

How is Antibes Apricot I different from Avignon Apricot snapdragons?▼

Avignon Apricot displays more yellow and cream tones in its blooms, whereas Antibes Apricot I shows a stronger, more saturated peach color with deeper orange undertones. Both are cool-season varieties, but Antibes is bred for slightly shorter production cycles. Avignon tends toward lighter, more muted tones; Antibes delivers richer, more vibrant color—a key distinction for floral designers and growers seeking specific color palettes.