Hybrid

Avignon Silver II

Antirrhinum majus

Photo: Joseph Vernet · Wikimedia Commons · (Public domain)

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 Silver II in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Avignon Silver II · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil; pH 6.0–7.0

WaterRegular; consistent moisture without waterlogging. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorDelicate, distinctly floral with a subtle bitter finish; use sparingly as a garnish

ColorSilvery-white

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	—

Succession Planting

Avignon Silver II is a warm-season annual that performs best in the cooler shoulder months of spring and fall — it slows down and looks rough once daytime highs push consistently past 85°F. In zone 7, start seeds indoors in February or March (soil temps of 65–75°F speed germination to the 7–14 day range), then transplant out in April or early May after last frost. For a second flush in fall, start another round indoors in late June or early July and get transplants in the ground in August when heat starts backing off. That gives you two distinct display windows without trying to push the plant through peak summer.

Don't bother starting seeds in May for June transplants. At 100–110 days to flower, they'd be reaching peak bloom right as heat stress peaks, and the display won't justify the effort.

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. Previously known as Costa Silver 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 Silver 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 Silver 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 Storage** Cut flowers keep 10–14 days in clean water with floral preservative in a cool location (65–70°F). Recut stems every 2–3 days and remove lower foliage to prevent bacterial growth. Edible flowers are best used the same day or within 24 hours; store unwashed in a sealed, ventilated container in the refrigerator at 35–40°F.

**Preservation Methods** For drying, harvest spikes at peak color and hang upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space (70–80°F, low humidity) for 2–3 weeks. Dried spikes last 6+ months and work beautifully in arrangements. Alternatively, press individual flowers between parchment paper under heavy books for 1–2 weeks for use in crafts or pressed-flower projects. For short-term edible preservation, freeze delicate petals in ice cubes with water or light sugar syrup; thaw gently before use as garnish.

History & Origin

Avignon Silver 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 reduce need for staking or support structures
+High yields make Avignon Silver II economically viable for commercial growers
+Uniform growth ensures consistent harvest timing and marketable product quality
+Performs excellently under short days and low temperature conditions
+Edible flowers add premium value as garnish for upscale culinary applications

Considerations

-Floral flavor is bitter, requiring careful portioning to avoid overwhelming dishes
-100-110 day timeline demands long production cycle commitment from growers
-Requires specific short-day, low-temperature conditions to achieve optimal performance
-Limited market demand for edible snapdragons compared to traditional culinary flowers

Companion Plants

Marigolds are the most practical neighbor for Avignon Silver II. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) emit thiophenes from their roots — compounds that suppress soil nematodes — and their scent disrupts the host-finding behavior of aphids and whiteflies, two pests that will find your snapdragons if given any opening. Plant them 6 inches off the snapdragon bed edge and you get that pest pressure reduced plus a color contrast that doesn't look accidental.

Sweet alyssum and catmint pull beneficial insects — hoverflies and parasitic wasps — into the bed, and those insects go after the aphids and thrips that Puccinia antirrhini-stressed snapdragons are especially vulnerable to. Sweet alyssum is worth planting early because it blooms well before the snapdragons hit their stride around day 100, so the predator population is already established when the snapdragons need it. Lavender adds spider mite deterrence, which matters when temperatures climb past 80°F and humidity drops — exactly the conditions that cause mite populations to spike.

Fennel produces anethole and related allelopathic compounds that suppress root development in a wide range of neighboring plants; snapdragons don't handle it well. Black walnut is a harder boundary to manage — juglone leaches from roots and hulls across a wide soil radius, and most annuals, snapdragons included, will yellow and stall in contaminated ground. Site your snapdragon beds well clear of both, and you'll save yourself a lot of puzzling over slow, uneven growth.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Lavender

Deters pests with aromatic oils and attracts pollinators

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Cosmos

Provides habitat for beneficial insects and adds vertical structure

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting bees

Yarrow

Improves soil health and attracts predatory insects

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects for natural pest control

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic compounds suppress nearby plant growth

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, thrips

Diseases

Snapdragon rust, powdery mildew, root rot (in waterlogged soil), damping-off (in cool, wet conditions)

Troubleshooting Avignon Silver II

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

Orange powdery pustules on the undersides of leaves, with corresponding yellow spots on top — usually showing up mid-season

Likely Causes

Snapdragon rust (Puccinia antirrhini) — a fungal disease that spreads on humid air and splashing water
Overcrowded planting at less than 12 inches that traps moisture between plants

What to Do

1.Pull and bag any heavily infected stems — don't compost them
2.Space transplants at least 12 inches apart and keep overhead watering to a minimum; drip or base watering cuts transmission significantly
3.If rust shows up early, a sulfur-based fungicide applied every 7-10 days can slow spread, but it won't reverse damage already done

Seedlings collapsing at the soil line within the first 2-3 weeks after germination, stems pinched and dark at the base

Likely Causes

Damping-off — most often Pythium or Rhizoctonia species — triggered by cold, wet growing medium that doesn't drain well
Overwatering seedling trays, especially in cool indoor conditions below 60°F

What to Do

1.Use a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix — not garden soil or old potting mix that may carry pathogens
2.Water from the bottom by setting trays in a shallow pan; let the mix dry slightly between waterings
3.If damping-off hits, remove the affected seedlings immediately and improve airflow with a small fan set on low

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Avignon Silver II typically reaches maturity and first bloom in 100–110 days from transplant. If starting indoors 8–10 weeks before your transplant date, expect flowers 4–5 months after sowing seed. Starting timing matters: sow in late winter for spring bloom, or mid-summer for fall flowering, which is when cool temperatures optimize this variety's flowering.

Is Avignon Silver II good for beginners?▼

Yes, absolutely. This is an easy-to-grow hybrid with robust, forgiving plants. It tolerates minor watering inconsistencies, doesn't require staking in most conditions, and recovers well from deadheading. The main skill required is consistent (not excessive) watering and basic deadheading to encourage continuous bloom. Even new gardeners achieve excellent results.

Can you grow Avignon Silver II in containers?▼

Yes, it thrives in pots and containers. Use a well-draining potting mix and containers at least 8–10 inches in diameter. Container growing allows you to move plants to ideal cool, partial-shade locations during hot weather, which this variety prefers. Water more frequently in containers than in-ground plants, as pots dry faster. Results are excellent with consistent care.

What makes Avignon Silver II different from other snapdragons?▼

Avignon Silver II is a Group 2 hybrid specifically bred for commercial production under cool, short-day conditions. It differs in its exceptional stem robustness, high and uniform flower yield, and superior post-harvest longevity (10–14 days in a vase). Unlike tall, single-stem snapdragon varieties, this hybrid produces bushy, multi-stemmed plants with professional-quality flowers without heavy staking.

When should I plant Avignon Silver II for best results?▼

Plant transplants in spring (2–3 weeks before last frost for cool-season hardening) or mid-summer (8–10 weeks before first fall frost). These cool-season timings align with the variety's preference for short days and lower temperatures. Avoid planting for summer flowering in hot climates; focus instead on spring and fall crops when flowers will be superior in color and longevity.

Are Avignon Silver II flowers edible, and what do they taste like?▼

Yes, the flowers are edible and work as a colorful garnish for salads, desserts, and drinks. The flavor is distinctly floral with a slightly bitter finish, so use sparingly — a few petals add visual appeal without overwhelming a dish. Harvest fully open, fresh blooms in the morning for best texture and flavor. Avoid any flowers treated with pesticides if eating.