Hybrid

Bridal Pink

Antirrhinum majus

Photo: Rexness from Melbourne, Australia · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 2.0)

More depth and dimension than your average snapdragon. Reminiscent of a watercolor painting, bloom color shifts delicately from the center to the edges of the petal: rose to shell-pink and pale pink. Florets are densely packed on the flower spike, giving the blooms a lovely full appearance. Bred for performance under short days and low temperatures; considered a group 2 snapdragon. Well-suited for an early spring bloom period. Performs well in our overwinter tunnel trials - a great color for early spring bouquets. 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 Bridal Pink in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Bridal Pink · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining loam, neutral to slightly acidic

WaterRegular, consistent moisture—1 inch per week

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorDelicate floral flavor with subtle bitterness; use sparingly as garnish

ColorRose to shell-pink to pale pink gradient

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

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost — that's around February 1–15 for most of zone 7 — and plan on two spring rounds: one transplanted out in mid-April, and a second sown indoors in early March for a late-April or early-May transplant. Bridal Pink slows down hard once daytime highs push past 85°F, which in Georgia usually means the plants are fading by late June. A fall run is worth doing: sow a third batch indoors in late July and transplant in September for blooms through November. That fall flush is often cleaner than the spring one — fewer pest and disease pressures once the humidity drops.

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

Bridal Pink 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 spikes last 7–10 days in a clean vase with fresh, cool water. Change water every 2–3 days and recut stem bases at a 45-degree angle to maximize water uptake. Keep vases out of direct sunlight and away from ripening fruit (ethylene accelerates petal fading).

For edible florets, refrigerate in a sealed container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture; use within 3 days. To preserve florets long-term, dry them completely on a screen in a warm, dark location with good airflow (takes 1–2 weeks), then store in airtight containers away from light. Dried flowers retain their color beautifully and can garnish desserts for months. Alternatively, freeze individual florets in ice cubes with water for decorative cocktails or punch—they maintain color and are ready to use directly from the freezer.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Stunning watercolor gradient from rose to pale pink creates visual depth.
+Densely packed florets produce full, lush flower spikes ideal for bouquets.
+Performs exceptionally well in cool temperatures and short-day conditions.
+Reliable overwinter tunnel performer ensures early spring harvests.
+Edible flowers add unique floral garnish to culinary presentations.

Considerations

-Edible flowers have bitter taste requiring minimal use in dishes.
-100-110 day growing period demands patience before marketable blooms.
-Pink coloring may fade or shift in intense heat stress.
-Requires consistent cool conditions to maintain color vibrancy and density.

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially French types like 'Bonanza') are the strongest pairing here — they deter aphids and whiteflies through scent, both of which NC State Extension flags as common snapdragon pests. Sweet alyssum draws in parasitic wasps that knock back aphid populations and fills the 6–8 inch ground layer without competing for root space. Chives pull similar duty against aphids and take up almost no room at 12 inches tall. Skip black walnut entirely — juglone from the roots will stunt or kill snapdragons, and in a mature tree that toxicity zone runs well past where most gardeners think to worry. Around here in the southeast, sunflowers are also worth keeping separate; they're allelopathic and will shade out these 24–36 inch plants before you notice the problem.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Lavender

Repels pests with strong fragrance and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while deterring squash bugs

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial pollinators

Yarrow

Improves soil health and attracts predatory insects that control harmful pests

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support without competing for nutrients

Chives

Repel aphids and thrips with their onion-like scent

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Compete aggressively for nutrients and water, can shade out smaller flowering plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies

Diseases

Powdery mildew, botrytis blight, rust

Troubleshooting Bridal Pink

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

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually showing up first on upper leaf surfaces in late spring or early summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe antirrhini) — thrives when nights are cool and humid but days are warm, exactly the conditions we get in April and May
Poor airflow from crowding plants closer than 12 inches

What to Do

1.Cut out the worst-affected stems and bag them — don't compost them
2.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tablespoon per gallon) every 7 days until new growth looks clean
3.Next season, hold spacing to at least 15 inches and avoid overhead watering in the evening

Stems turning soft and brown at the base, whole plant wilting even when the soil is moist

Likely Causes

Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea) — a gray mold that moves in fast during cool, wet weather and gets a foothold at the soil line
Spent blooms left on the plant in crowded beds, giving the fungus easy entry points

What to Do

1.Pull and discard the affected plant — there's no saving a stem that's already collapsed at the crown
2.Deadhead consistently and clear any fallen petals from the soil surface around healthy plants
3.Water at the base only, and do it in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall

Leaf undersides covered in orange or rust-colored pustules, leaves yellowing and dropping

Likely Causes

Snapdragon rust (Puccinia antirrhini) — a fungal disease specific to Antirrhinum, spread by wind-borne spores, worst in wet springs

What to Do

1.Remove infected leaves immediately and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost pile
2.Apply a sulfur-based fungicide every 10–14 days as a protective measure on remaining healthy foliage
3.Switch to drip irrigation or a soaker hose — keeping water off the leaves cuts transmission significantly

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Bridal Pink snapdragon take to grow from seed to bloom?▼

Bridal Pink reaches full flowering maturity in 100–110 days from sowing. If you start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost and harden off seedlings, they'll bloom 4–5 weeks after transplanting into the garden. For earlier winter/spring bloom using overwinter tunnel production, sow in summer for late autumn flowers.

Is Bridal Pink snapdragon good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes—Bridal Pink is rated as easy to grow. Seeds germinate reliably (simply press onto moist soil under light, no covering needed), seedlings establish quickly indoors, and transplants thrive with basic care: consistent moisture, deadheading, and good air circulation. The main skill required is managing humidity to prevent powdery mildew, which is manageable with spacing and airflow.

Can you grow Bridal Pink snapdragon in containers?▼

Yes, and it performs exceptionally well. Space plants 12–18 inches apart in pots at least 8–12 inches deep. Use well-draining potting mix and water consistently, as containers dry faster than garden beds. Container growing actually improves air circulation around foliage, reducing disease risk. Bridal Pink's compact growth habit and abundant branching make it ideal for patio containers.

What's the best time to plant Bridal Pink snapdragon seeds?▼

Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost for summer-into-fall blooms. For early spring and winter flowering, sow in mid-to-late summer (June–July in northern climates) to establish plants for overwinter production. Bridal Pink's short-day performance makes it especially valuable for late-season production when other annuals fade.

Why is Bridal Pink snapdragon ideal for cut flowers compared to other snapdragon varieties?▼

Bridal Pink's dense florets create exceptionally full, high-impact spikes—more stems yield fuller bouquets. The unique watercolor color gradient (rose fading to pale pink) is visually distinctive and wedding-appropriate, commanding premium prices. Its proven short-day performance allows reliable winter harvest when premium-priced fresh flowers are scarce. Vase life of 7–10 days is standard for snapdragons.

Are Bridal Pink snapdragon flowers really edible, and what do they taste like?▼

Yes—the florets are entirely edible with a delicate, floral, slightly bitter flavor profile. Use sparingly as a colorful garnish for salads, desserts, cocktails, and premium plated dishes. The pale pink to rose colors remain vivid when fresh or dried. Avoid using pesticides if you intend to harvest flowers for culinary use; grow organically or use only food-safe treatments.