Hybrid

Avignon Deep Rose II

Antirrhinum majus

Wikimedia Commons via Antirrhinum majus

Vibrant cherry-rose color. Robust stems, high-quality blooms, and uniform growth in the field or greenhouse. Group 2 snapdragon bred for performance under short days and low temperatures. We've found the Avignon series to be more adaptable than most Group 2 snapdragons, in that the plants produce strong stems and high-quality blooms even under slightly warmer and longer days than would be ideal for a Group 2 series. Avignon performs well in our spring and fall trials both in the field and tunnel, and overwintered (fall-planted inside an unheated tunnel for early spring flowering). Flower quality and stem quality are reduced under long days and high temperatures. Avignon Deep Rose II is the darkest, most deeply saturated of the rose colors in the Avignon II series. Previously known as Costa Deep Rose 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.

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 Deep Rose II in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Avignon Deep Rose II · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 inches in containers; field spacing typically 12-18 inches depending on density goals

WaterRegular

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorFloral with a slightly bitter, peppery undertone; use sparingly as flavor can overpower dishes.

ColorCherry-rose

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

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost date — late February to early March in zone 7 — and transplant out in April once nights stay reliably above 40°F. Avignon Deep Rose II stops blooming dependably once daytime highs push past 85–90°F, so rather than fighting the summer heat, sow a second round indoors in late June and transplant in late August. The cooler nights of September and October suit this variety well, and you'll get a second flush of color right through the first light frosts. Don't bother sowing through the heat of July; the plants will just sit there.

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

Avignon Deep Rose 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

For fresh storage, keep harvested Avignon Deep Rose II flowers in a cool location, ideally in the refrigerator at 35-40°F with moderate humidity to extend vase life (7-10 days). Store in a tall vase with fresh, clean water changed every 2-3 days. Preservation methods: (1) Air-drying—hang stems upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements; (2) Pressing—place individual blooms between parchment paper under weight for 1-2 weeks for use in crafts or pressed flower projects; (3) Freezing—freeze whole stems in water in ice cube trays to preserve for decorative use later, though texture will be soft upon thawing.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Vibrant cherry-rose color is the darkest in the Avignon II series
+Robust stems and high-quality blooms perform well in spring and fall
+Adaptable to warmer and longer days than typical Group 2 snapdragons
+Succeeds in field, greenhouse, and tunnel including overwintering for early spring
+Edible flowers provide colorful garnish for salads, desserts, and drinks

Considerations

-Flower and stem quality decline significantly under long days and high temperatures
-Requires 100-110 days to maturity, limiting quick succession planting options
-Floral flavor is bitter, requiring sparing use as edible garnish

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) and nasturtiums draw aphids off the snapdragons and pull in predatory wasps without competing hard for root space at 12–18 inch field spacing. Alyssum and catmint keep pollinators cycling through the bed, and their low growth doesn't shade out the snapdragons' lower stems. Fennel is a problem: it releases anethole and related compounds that suppress neighboring annuals, and you'll often see stunted or yellowing growth in snapdragons planted within 2–3 feet of it. Black walnut carries the same kind of chemical load — juglone persists in soil well beyond the tree's canopy, so give it a wide berth.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Lavender

Deters pests with strong scent and attracts pollinators, complements rose colors

Catmint

Repels aphids and ants while providing long-lasting purple blooms

Alyssum

Ground cover that attracts beneficial insects and provides continuous white blooms

Salvia

Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, provides vertical interest

Petunia

Repels aphids, tomato hornworms, and provides complementary colors

Chives

Natural pest deterrent that repels aphids and improves soil health

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, edible flowers

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic oils suppress growth of nearby plants and reduce flowering

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic compounds

Troubleshooting Avignon Deep Rose II

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

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii or Erysiphe cichoracearum) — favored by high humidity with dry leaf surfaces and poor airflow
Crowded spacing below 12 inches that traps moisture around foliage

What to Do

1.Cut out the worst-affected stems at the base and bin them — don't compost
2.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tbsp per gallon) every 7 days until new growth looks clean
3.Next planting, keep field spacing at 15–18 inches and avoid overhead irrigation late in the day

Stems collapsing at soil level on seedlings or young transplants, plants tipping over in patches

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia solani) — a soilborne fungal complex that attacks stems when soil stays too wet
Overwatering or trays with no drainage during the indoor germination phase

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected seedlings immediately — the rot spreads fast
2.Let the top half-inch of seed-starting mix dry out between waterings; use a fan to keep air moving over the trays
3.Start fresh in sterile seed-starting mix rather than reusing last year's trays without sterilizing them

Spiky orange or brown pustules on the undersides of leaves, with corresponding yellow patches on top

Likely Causes

Snapdragon rust (Puccinia antirrhini) — a fungal pathogen specific to Antirrhinum, spreads by wind-dispersed spores
Wet foliage overnight combined with moderate temperatures around 60–70°F

What to Do

1.Remove and bag all affected leaves; rust spreads quickly so don't shake the plant while you work
2.Switch to drip irrigation or water at the base only — keep leaves dry
3.If more than a third of the plant is affected, pull it entirely and rotate that bed away from snapdragons for at least one season

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Avignon Deep Rose II snapdragon flowers last in a vase?▼

Avignon Deep Rose II flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase when properly conditioned and cared for. To maximize vase life, use a tall, clean vase, change water every 2-3 days, trim stems at a 45-degree angle, remove lower foliage to prevent bacterial growth, and keep flowers in a cool location away from ripening fruit and direct heat.

Can I grow Avignon Deep Rose II snapdragons in containers?▼

Yes, Avignon Deep Rose II can be grown in containers, making it suitable for patios and balconies. Use well-draining potting soil and containers with drainage holes. Space plants 6-8 inches apart in containers, provide 4-6+ hours of sun daily, water regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and fertilize every 2 weeks for optimal bloom quality.

When should I plant Avignon Deep Rose II snapdragons?▼

For spring and fall flowering, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed. Avignon II excels in cool-season growing; sow for spring blooms in late winter or fall blooms in mid-summer. For early spring flowering, plant seeds indoors in fall for overwintering in an unheated tunnel, allowing flowering to begin very early in spring.

What does Avignon Deep Rose II taste like as an edible flower?▼

Avignon Deep Rose II flowers offer a floral taste with a slightly bitter undertone. The flavor is delicate and somewhat peppery. Use flowers sparingly in salads, desserts, and drinks as they can overpower dishes. Remove the bitter green base of the flower before consuming. They add visual appeal and subtle floral notes to cocktails, garnishes, and plated desserts.

Is Avignon Deep Rose II easy to grow for beginners?▼

Yes, Avignon Deep Rose II is rated as Easy and is an excellent choice for beginners. This hybrid snapdragon requires minimal maintenance, adapts well to various growing conditions, produces uniform growth, and generates high-quality blooms with strong stems. It performs reliably in both field and greenhouse settings, making it forgiving for new growers.

How does Avignon Deep Rose II compare to other Group 2 snapdragons?▼

Avignon Deep Rose II is notably more adaptable than most Group 2 snapdragons. It maintains strong stems and high-quality blooms even under warmer and longer days than typical for Group 2 varieties, offering greater flexibility for growers. Avignon Deep Rose II is the darkest and most deeply saturated rose color in the Avignon II series, providing a distinctive, rich aesthetic appeal.