Hybrid

Avignon Pink II

Antirrhinum majus

Photo: Follower of Pierre Mignard I · Wikimedia Commons · (Public domain)

Bloom color is a little richer and deeper (not as pale) as Costa Silver but still lighter than Potomac Pink Improved or Costa Light Rose II. Group 2, cool-season snapdragon, bred for performance under short days, low light, and low-temperature conditions. Not recommended for summer production. Plants produce short, thin stems under high light, summer temperatures, and long-day conditions. Pair with other Group 1 and 2 snapdragons such as the Costa II and Maryland series.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 Pink II in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Avignon Pink II · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil

WaterRegular, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorPink

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 Pink II runs 100–110 days from seed to bloom and keeps flowering until hard heat or frost shuts it down — it's not a cut-and-come-again crop you stagger every two weeks. Start one indoor sow in February–March for spring transplants going in April–May (zone 7); then start a second batch indoors in late June to put out in August for a fall flush before first frost. Two rounds is about all the season allows. Mid-summer direct sowing rarely pays off because seedlings hit their stride just as temperatures drop and days shorten.

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 Pink 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

Store fresh cut stems in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Keep in a vase with clean, cool water (50-60°F ideal) and change water every 2-3 days for maximum vase life of 7-10 days. For edible flowers used as garnish, refrigerate on a damp paper towel in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Preservation methods: air-dry by hanging upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for dried arrangements lasting several months; press flowers between book pages for flattened specimens; or freeze in ice cubes with water for decorative uses in beverages for up to 2 months.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Richer, deeper pink color than Costa Silver without being too dark
+Specifically bred for cool-season performance with short days and low light
+Pairs well with other Group 1 and 2 snapdragons for mixed plantings
+Edible flowers provide unique floral garnish for culinary presentations
+Easy difficulty level makes it suitable for most growers

Considerations

-Not recommended for summer production due to heat sensitivity
-Produces short, thin stems under high light and long-day conditions
-Limited color range appeal compared to other snapdragon varieties
-Requires cool-season timing which restricts production windows

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are the strongest companion here — their root secretions deter soil nematodes, and their scent disrupts the aphids and thrips that target snapdragon buds. Sweet alyssum pulls in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that keep those same pests in check, and it fills the low gaps without competing for root space at 18–24-inch snapdragon spacing. Nasturtiums work well as a trap crop, drawing aphid pressure away from Avignon Pink II. Skip fennel entirely — its allelopathic compounds stunt nearby annuals — and site black walnut at least 50 feet out, since its roots deposit juglone well beyond the canopy edge.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting eggplants

Basil

Repels thrips, aphids, and hornworms while improving eggplant flavor

Oregano

Deters pests and attracts pollinators with aromatic compounds

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs naturally

Catnip

Strong pest deterrent against flea beetles and aphids

Borage

Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while deterring hornworms

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits eggplant growth and causes wilting

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of nearby eggplants

Geraniums

May attract Japanese beetles which can damage eggplant foliage

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot, rust

Troubleshooting Avignon Pink II

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

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing first on upper leaf surfaces in mid-to-late summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe antirrhini) — thrives in warm days, cool nights, and low airflow
Crowded planting at less than 18-inch spacing trapping humidity around foliage

What to Do

1.Remove and trash the worst-affected leaves — don't compost them
2.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted neem oil solution (2 tbsp per gallon of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
3.Next season, space plants the full 18–24 inches and avoid overhead watering in the evening

Orange or yellow pustules on the undersides of leaves, with corresponding yellow spots on top — often appearing in cool, wet stretches

Likely Causes

Snapdragon rust (Puccinia antirrhini) — a fungal pathogen that spreads quickly in cool, humid conditions
Overhead irrigation wetting foliage and holding moisture for extended periods

What to Do

1.Strip infected leaves immediately and dispose of them in the trash
2.Switch to drip or base watering to keep foliage dry
3.Apply a sulfur-based fungicide every 10–14 days if the infection is spreading; check the label for temperature limits since sulfur can burn foliage above 90°F

Plants wilting despite adequate soil moisture, with stems turning brown or mushy at the soil line

Likely Causes

Root rot — most often Phytophthora or Pythium species in waterlogged or poorly drained soil
Overwatering in heavy clay soil, especially during cool spells when the plant isn't actively taking up water

What to Do

1.Pull the affected plant — it won't recover once the stem is mushy at the base
2.Improve drainage before replanting: work 2–3 inches of compost into the bed, or raise the bed entirely
3.Water only when the top inch of soil is dry, and never let pots sit in standing water

Distorted new growth, sticky residue on leaves, or tiny insects clustered on stem tips and flower buds

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly Myzus persicae or Macrosiphum euphorbiae) feeding on soft new tissue
Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) — harder to spot, but their rasping leaves silvery streaking on petals and leaves alongside the distortion

What to Do

1.Blast aphid colonies off with a firm stream of water from a hose — do this in the morning so foliage dries by evening
2.For thrips, apply insecticidal soap (follow label dilution, usually a 2–3% solution) directly to buds and stem tips every 5–7 days
3.Plant sweet alyssum nearby to draw in parasitic wasps and hoverflies — they'll work the aphid population down without sprays

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fresh cut Avignon Pink II snapdragon flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase when kept in cool water (50-60°F) with regular water changes every 2-3 days. This cool-season variety performs best in lower temperatures, which naturally extends vase life. Avoid placing cut stems in warm locations or direct sunlight to maintain longevity and color vibrancy.

Can you grow Avignon Pink II snapdragons in containers?▼

Yes, Avignon Pink II snapdragons grow well in containers. Space plants 18-24 inches apart and provide containers with good drainage. They thrive in 4-6+ hours of sun to partial shade and are bred for cool-season performance, making them excellent for container gardening in spring and fall. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than in-ground plantings.

Is Avignon Pink II good for beginners?▼

Yes, Avignon Pink II is an easy-to-grow variety suitable for beginners. It's a hybrid snapdragon bred for reliable performance under cool conditions with low light and short days. However, avoid planting during summer months, as plants produce thin, weak stems under hot, long-day conditions. Spring and fall planting yields the best results.

When should I plant Avignon Pink II snapdragons?▼

Plant Avignon Pink II in early spring (4-6 weeks before last frost) or late summer/fall for cool-season growth. This Group 2 variety is specifically bred for short days, low light, and low temperatures, making it ideal for spring and fall production. Avoid summer planting, as high temperatures and long days cause poor stem quality and plant performance.

What does Avignon Pink II taste like?▼

Avignon Pink II flowers have a floral, slightly bitter taste and are edible. They work as a colorful garnish in salads, desserts, and drinks but should be used sparingly due to the bitter notes. The delicate pink flowers add visual appeal and a subtle floral note to dishes without overpowering flavors.

How is Avignon Pink II different from other pink snapdragons?▼

Avignon Pink II has a richer, deeper pink bloom color—lighter than Potomac Pink Improved or Costa Light Rose II, but noticeably deeper than the pale Costa Silver. It's a Group 2 cool-season snapdragon optimized for short days and low temperatures, making it ideal for spring and fall production alongside other Group 1 and 2 varieties like Costa II and Maryland series.