Hybrid

Avignon Apricot II

Antirrhinum majus

A delicate pink rose blooms in a lush garden setting.

Wikimedia Commons

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 Avignon Apricot II in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Avignon Apricot II · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorFloral taste with slightly bitter notes, best used sparingly as a delicate garnish.

ColorApricot

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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	—
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	—

Complete Growing Guide

Exceptionally robust stems, high yields, and uniform growth in the field or greenhouse when grown under short days and low temperatures. Group 2 snapdragon. Under high light or very warm temperatures, flowers can become washed out and express more yellow hues. Previously known as Costa Apricot II. 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. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Avignon Apricot II is 100 - 110 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1). Notable features: Greenhouse Performer, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Edible Flowers, Fragrant.

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

Avignon Apricot II 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 Avignon Apricot II flowers are best stored on the counter in a cool location (60-65°F) in a shallow water container like a vase, keeping stems hydrated for 3-5 days. Alternatively, refrigerate in a moisture-sealed container at 35-40°F for extended freshness (7-10 days). Preserve by air-drying in a dark, well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks, then store in airtight containers away from light. Pressing flowers between parchment paper is ideal for culinary garnishes. Freeze in ice cubes with water for decorative use in beverages, maintaining color and structure for several weeks.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Exceptionally robust stems support heavy flower production reliably
+High yields make this variety economically viable for commercial growers
+Uniform growth in field or greenhouse simplifies crop management
+Easy difficulty rating makes it suitable for beginner growers
+Edible flowers provide dual-purpose ornamental and culinary value

Considerations

-Flowers become washed out and yellowed in high light conditions
-Requires short days and cool temperatures for optimal color expression
-Floral bitter flavor necessitates sparing use in culinary applications
-Sensitive to warm temperatures which compromises flower quality and appearance

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are worth planting in the same bed — they deter aphids and thrips through root secretions and scent, and both plants want the same full-sun, warm-season conditions, so you're not juggling two different care schedules. Sweet alyssum at the edges does real work too: its small flowers draw parasitic wasps (Braconidae) that prey on the aphids that will inevitably find your snapdragons. Nasturtiums can pull double duty as a trap crop, drawing aphids away from the Antirrhinum if you plant them a foot or two to the windward side of the main planting.

Keep Avignon Apricot II well away from black walnut (Juglans nigra). The juglone that leaches from walnut roots affects a wide range of plants, and snapdragons are sensitive enough that soil left behind after a walnut is removed can still cause wilting and slow decline for a season or two. Fennel belongs in its own isolated patch regardless of what you're growing next to it — it produces allelopathic compounds that suppress nearby annuals, and Antirrhinum is not an exception.

Plant Together

Marigold

Repels nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Lavender

Attracts pollinators and repels pests like moths and fleas with aromatic oils

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, draws pests away from apricot flowers

Chives

Repels aphids and Japanese beetles while improving soil with sulfur compounds

Borage

Attracts bees and beneficial insects, may improve growth of nearby plants

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch and fertilizer

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial parasitic wasps and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Yarrow

Attracts ladybugs and lacewings, improves soil nutrients and plant health

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill stone fruit plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Produces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit growth of most garden plants

Troubleshooting Avignon Apricot II

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

Gray fuzzy coating on stems or buds, usually during cool, damp stretches in spring

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — thrives when temps sit between 60–77°F with high humidity and poor airflow
Overcrowded transplants that trap moisture between stems

What to Do

1.Remove and bin (don't compost) all affected plant material immediately
2.Space plants at least 10–12 inches apart and thin aggressively if you planted close
3.Water at the base, not overhead, and do it early in the day so foliage dries before nightfall

Orange or rust-colored pustules on the undersides of leaves, with yellowing on the upper surface

Likely Causes

Antirrhinum rust (Puccinia antirrhini) — a fungal disease specific to snapdragons, more common in cool, wet conditions
Planting the same bed in Antirrhinum majus year after year without rotating

What to Do

1.Pull and dispose of heavily infected plants; don't compost them
2.Apply a sulfur-based fungicide every 7–10 days once you see the first pustules
3.Rotate snapdragons out of that bed for at least one full season

Spindly, flopping stems with small flowers, even in a sunny spot

Likely Causes

Insufficient light — Avignon Apricot II needs 6+ hours of direct sun to bloom compactly; 4 hours produces stretched growth
Starting transplants indoors without supplemental lighting, causing etiolation before they ever hit the ground

What to Do

1.Move containers to the sunniest available spot, or transplant bed starts to a south-facing location
2.Pinch the central stem back by about one-third at transplant time to encourage branching and sturdier growth
3.If starting indoors, set seedlings under grow lights for 14–16 hours a day to keep internodes tight

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Avignon Apricot II flowers stay fresh after cutting?▼

When properly stored in water on a cool counter, stems remain fresh for 3-5 days. Refrigerated in a sealed container at 35-40°F, they can last 7-10 days. For longer preservation, air-dry flowers in a dark space for 1-2 weeks or freeze them in ice cubes for decorative use in drinks lasting several weeks.

Are Avignon Apricot II flowers good for beginners?▼

Yes, Avignon Apricot II is rated as Easy to grow. It requires full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours) and produces exceptionally robust stems with high yields. The variety is well-suited for both field and greenhouse cultivation, making it ideal for novice growers seeking reliable, uniform growth and minimal maintenance.

Can you grow Avignon Apricot II snapdragons in containers?▼

Yes, this Group 2 snapdragon grows well in containers, particularly in greenhouse settings. Ensure containers provide adequate drainage and depth for robust stem development. Container-grown plants benefit from consistent watering and prefer cooler temperatures and short-day conditions to maintain the characteristic apricot color and prevent flower washout.

What does Avignon Apricot II taste like when used as an edible flower?▼

The flowers have a floral taste with slightly bitter notes, making them suitable as colorful garnishes in small quantities. They work best in salads, desserts, and beverages where their delicate floral-bitter flavor complements rather than dominates the dish. Use sparingly to avoid overwhelming the palate.

When should I plant Avignon Apricot II snapdragons for harvest?▼

With 100-110 days to harvest, plan backwards from your desired harvest date. For summer flowers, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost, or direct sow after frost danger passes. The variety performs best under cool temperatures and short-day conditions, thriving in spring and fall seasons.

Why do my Avignon Apricot II flowers lose color under warm conditions?▼

High light or very warm temperatures cause the apricot flowers to become washed out, expressing more yellow hues instead. This variety performs optimally under short-day and cool temperature conditions. To maintain true apricot coloring, provide afternoon shade in hot climates and grow during cooler seasons when possible.