Hybrid

Avignon Light Rose II

Antirrhinum majus

Wikimedia Commons via Antirrhinum majus

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 Light Rose II is slightly shorter and more compact compared to other Avignon varieties in this series. Flowering time, bloom quality, and stem quality are consistent with the rest of the Avignon II series. Previously known as Costa Light 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 Light Rose II in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Avignon Light Rose II · Zones 7–10

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Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining loam or potting soil, pH neutral to slightly acidic

WaterRegular; consistent moisture without waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorDistinctly floral with slightly bitter undertone; use sparingly as a garnish

ColorRose pink

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

Avignon Light Rose II is a warm-season annual that puts out a long flowering season per plant rather than continuously resetting the way a cut-and-come-again crop does — but succession planting still makes sense if you want unbroken color from spring into fall. Start seeds indoors in February or March (8–10 weeks before last frost), transplant in April to May once nights stay reliably above 40°F, then start a second batch of seeds indoors in May for a late-summer transplant in July. That second wave will carry into October in most zone 7–8 gardens.

One thing to plan around: snapdragons slow down hard once daytime highs are consistently above 85–90°F. A late-spring planting will look rough through July and August regardless of how well you care for it. Time the second succession so those plants are hitting their stride in September, when temperatures drop back and the plants can actually perform.

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 Light 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

Fresh-cut Avignon Light Rose II stems last 10-14 days in a clean vase with floral preservative and fresh, cool water (65-70°F). Recut stems at a 45-degree angle every 2-3 days and remove lower foliage to prevent microbial buildup. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from ethylene-producing fruit.

For edible flowers, refrigerate in a shallow container lined with damp paper towels for 2-3 days maximum; they're most fragrant and flavorful when freshly harvested. Freeze whole flowers in ice cubes by placing them in sections of ice-cube trays, filling halfway with water, freezing, then topping with more water to lock flowers in place—ideal for drinks. Air-dry flowers by hanging inverted bunches in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks, then store in airtight containers for garnishing desserts and cocktails year-round. Dried flowers retain color and slight fragrance for several months when stored away from humidity and light.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Robust stems and high-quality blooms even under suboptimal conditions
+Adapts well to warmer temperatures and longer days than typical Group 2
+Performs reliably in both spring and fall trials, field and greenhouse
+Compact growth habit makes it ideal for space-constrained production
+Edible flowers add unique garnish value to culinary applications

Considerations

-Flower and stem quality decline noticeably under prolonged heat and long days
-Requires cool season timing for optimal performance and blooming consistency
-Limited color range with only light rose option in this variety

Companion Plants

Lavender and catmint are the most practical companions for Avignon Light Rose II — both attract predatory wasps and hoverflies that keep aphid populations from getting out of hand, and neither competes hard for root space. They're also more drought-tolerant than snapdragons, so you won't find yourself overwatering the whole bed trying to keep everyone alive at once. Marigolds (specifically Tagetes patula, the French type) are worth putting at the bed edges — their root exudates suppress certain soil nematodes, and the flowers draw beneficial insects all season. Garlic, chives, and alliums planted 6–8 inches away add a low-key deterrent against aphids and thrips without crowding the snapdragon roots.

Nasturtiums work best as a trap crop here. Aphids genuinely prefer them over snapdragons, so a small cluster nearby pulls pressure off your plants. Check those nasturtiums every few days though — a colony left to build up will spill over eventually.

Black walnut is the one to give real distance to, but not just because of a vague toxicity warning: juglone, the compound its roots release, is specifically phytotoxic to a wide range of ornamentals, and NC State Extension recommends keeping sensitive plants well outside the tree's root zone, which can extend considerably beyond the drip line. Large trees are a problem for a different reason entirely — Avignon Light Rose II needs at least 4–6 hours of direct sun to flower well, and heavy canopy shade will cut bloom output noticeably within a single season. Brassicas are worth keeping separate because they share several fungal vulnerabilities with snapdragons, including susceptibility to Pythium-related rots, and a diseased brassica planting nearby is a reliable way to introduce problems into the bed.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels aphids, spider mites, and other rose pests while attracting beneficial pollinators

Marigolds

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent black spot and powdery mildew on roses

Chives

Repels aphids and Japanese beetles while improving soil health

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects

Alliums

Strong sulfur compounds repel aphids, thrips, and other rose pests

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from roses

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on rose aphids

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in roses

Large Trees

Compete for nutrients, water, and create excessive shade that promotes fungal diseases

Brassicas

Heavy feeders that compete for soil nutrients and may stunt rose growth

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Snapdragon rust, powdery mildew, root rot in waterlogged conditions

Troubleshooting Avignon Light Rose II

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

White or pale orange powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually showing up mid-summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives when nights are cool and days are warm, especially with poor air circulation
Plants spaced too close together (under 12 inches), blocking airflow

What to Do

1.Remove and trash the worst-affected leaves — don't compost them
2.Spray with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tbsp per gallon of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
3.Next planting, keep spacing at 12–18 inches and avoid wetting the foliage when you water

Orange or brown pustules on the undersides of leaves, sometimes with yellow halos on top — can appear as early as 6 weeks after transplant

Likely Causes

Snapdragon rust (Puccinia antirrhini) — a fungal disease specific to Antirrhinum, spreads by airborne spores and splashing water
Wet weather combined with overhead irrigation

What to Do

1.Pull infected plants if rust is widespread — Avignon Light Rose II is a hybrid without the rust tolerance bred into some older open-pollinated snapdragon lines
2.Switch to drip irrigation or water at the base only
3.Apply a copper-based fungicide preventively at 10-day intervals if rust has shown up in your beds before

Plants wilting despite moist soil, with brown or black discoloration at the crown or roots

Likely Causes

Root rot — most often Pythium or Phytophthora species — triggered by waterlogged or poorly draining soil
Planting in a low spot that holds water after rain

What to Do

1.Dig up one plant and check: if the roots are brown and mushy rather than white and firm, root rot is already established — remove and discard those plants
2.Work in 2–3 inches of coarse compost before the next planting to improve drainage
3.Don't replant snapdragons in the same spot for at least one full season

Distorted, curling new growth or sticky residue on stems and buds, sometimes with tiny clusters of insects visible

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly Myzus persicae or Macrosiphum euphorbiae) — cluster on soft new growth and feed on plant sap
Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) — harder to spot, but cause silvery streaking or stippling on petals and leaves alongside the distortion

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a strong stream of water from a hose — repeat every 2–3 days for a week
2.For thrips, apply insecticidal soap or spinosad spray directly to affected tissue, covering the undersides of leaves
3.Pull nearby weeds like thistle and henbit, which harbor both pests and act as a constant re-infestation source

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Avignon Light Rose II take to flower from seed?▼

Avignon Light Rose II requires 100-110 days from seed to flowering. Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your target flowering date. Sow in late winter for spring flowering or in mid-summer for fall flowering. This longer development period is typical of Group 2 snapdragons and reflects their breeding for cool-season performance rather than speed.

Is Avignon Light Rose II good for beginners?▼

Yes—despite its photoperiod sensitivity, Avignon Light Rose II is rated easy-to-grow. The main requirement is timing your planting for spring or fall rather than summer. Once established, plants are low-maintenance, disease-resistant, and produce reliably without special care. The variety's compact habit and strong stems make it forgiving for novice growers compared to other snapdragon varieties.

Can you grow Avignon Light Rose II in containers?▼

Absolutely. The compact, uniform growth habit makes Light Rose II excellent for containers—use 4-6 inch pots for single stems or 12-inch containers for small clusters. Ensure containers have drainage holes and use quality potting soil. Space plants 12-18 inches apart if combining multiple plants. Container-grown plants benefit from more frequent, light fertilizing due to leaching, but otherwise perform identically to in-ground plantings.

When should I plant Avignon Light Rose II for best results?▼

Plant for spring or fall flowering. For spring blooms, start seeds indoors in December-January in cool climates. For fall flowering, sow in June-July for late summer/fall harvest. Avoid summer planting (May-July) as extended daylength and heat stress reduce flower and stem quality significantly. Overwintering is possible: plant in fall inside an unheated tunnel for early spring flowering with minimal additional care.

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

The flowers have a distinctly floral flavor with a slightly bitter undertone, similar to other snapdragons. Use sparingly as a colorful garnish rather than a dominant ingredient—one or two flowers per plate. The rose-pink color is striking in salads and desserts. The slight bitterness pairs well with sweet preparations (fruit salads, dessert plates) and is less noticeable in drinks where flowers float as visual elements rather than primary flavoring.

How does Avignon Light Rose II compare to other Avignon snapdragons?▼

Light Rose II is the most compact member of the Avignon series while maintaining consistent bloom quality and stem strength. Other Avignon varieties are taller and better suited to arrangements requiring longer stems. Light Rose II matures at the same speed (100-110 days) and shares the series' superior adaptability to warmer, longer-day conditions compared to traditional Group 2 snapdragons. Choose Light Rose II if you prefer shorter, bushier plants with more lateral branching per plant.