Cannes Rose II-III
Antirrhinum majus
Cannes Rose II-III is a hybrid flower variety featuring delicate rose-colored blooms with romantic appeal. Reaching maturity in 105-115 days, this ornamental thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained loam soil. Its petals offer a distinctive floral taste with subtle bitterness, making it ideal for garnishing gourmet dishes in minimal quantities. The variety distinguishes itself through reliable performance and ease of cultivation, requiring attention to common flower pests including aphids and spider mites. Perfect for gardeners seeking both visual elegance and culinary utility.
Harvest
105-115d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
7–10
USDA hardiness
Height
0-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cannes Rose II-III in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Cannes Rose II-III · Zones 7–10
Growing Details
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 in February or March, 10–12 weeks before your last frost, then transplant out in April to May once nights stay reliably above 40°F. A second indoor sow in mid-March, staggered 3–4 weeks behind the first, extends your bloom window without much extra effort. Snapdragons do their best work when daytime highs sit in the 60–75°F range — once temperatures push consistently above 85°F, flowering slows and plants go leggy. In zones 9–10, an August sow for fall transplanting will outperform anything started after June.
Complete Growing Guide
This Group 2-3 snapdragon can be grown in the field or indoors and is well-suited for spring, early summer, and fall production. Uniform, high-quality blooms. The Cannes II-III series is about 5 days earlier to bloom than Potomac series in our trials. This variety is bred for the seasonal transitions between spring and summer, and summer and fall. Performs best for us in spring plantings for early summer harvests. Also suitable for overwintering. 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, Cannes Rose II-III is 105 - 115 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1). Notable features: Greenhouse Performer, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, 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
Cannes Rose II-III reaches harvest at 105 - 115 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 Cannes Rose II-III flowers last 7-10 days in a clean vase with fresh, cool water (65-72°F). Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems at a 45-degree angle. Remove any foliage below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth. For longer-term preservation, snapdragon flowers dry beautifully: hang-dry flower spikes upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Once crisp, store in airtight containers away from humidity. Dried flowers retain color excellently and work well for crafts and potpourri. For freezing edible flowers, place individual florets on a sheet tray, freeze solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months—they'll lose firmness when thawed but work as salad and dessert garnishes.
History & Origin
Cannes Rose II-III is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Southwestern Europe
Advantages
- +Blooms 5 days earlier than Potomac series for competitive market timing
- +Uniform high-quality flowers suitable for field or indoor production
- +Performs excellently in spring plantings for early summer harvests
- +Edible flowers add value as colorful salad and dessert garnish
- +Suitable for overwintering and seasonal transition plantings
Considerations
- -Floral flavor is slightly bitter limiting culinary appeal and portion size
- -105-115 day cycle requires significant time investment before harvest
- -Best performance concentrated in spring plantings limits year-round flexibility
Companion Plants
Marigolds and lavender are the most useful neighbors here. French marigold varieties deter aphids and thrips through scent disruption — both pests are real problems for snapdragons once temperatures climb past 75°F. Lavender brings in predatory wasps and repels whiteflies without competing hard for water, which matters because Cannes Rose II-III wants steady moisture (1–1.5 inches weekly) without ever sitting wet. Garlic and chives work through allicin-based compounds that confuse soft-bodied insects; plant them within 18 inches of the snapdragons to get any meaningful effect.
Black walnut is a flat no — juglone moves through the soil far enough to stunt or kill Antirrhinum majus even when the trunk looks a safe distance away. Large trees create a different problem: their surface roots pull water and their canopy cuts into the 4–6 hours of direct sun this variety needs to push full flower spikes through that 105–115 day window.
Plant Together
Lavender
Repels aphids, spider mites, and other pests while attracting beneficial pollinators
Marigolds
Natural pest deterrent against nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies
Garlic
Repels aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles that commonly attack roses
Chives
Deters aphids and may help prevent black spot disease
Catmint
Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects
Alliums
Strong scent deters aphids, thrips, and other rose pests
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from roses
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Tree
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits rose growth and can cause wilting
Large Trees
Compete for nutrients and water while creating excessive shade that roses require full sun
Brassicas
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may attract pests harmful to roses
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, thrips
Diseases
Powdery mildew, rust, root rot (waterlogging), damping off (seedlings)
Troubleshooting Cannes Rose II-III
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
White powdery coating spreading across leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-season when nights start cooling
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe antirrhini) — fungal spores spread by wind, thrives in warm days and cool, humid nights
- Poor airflow from planting too close together (under 12 inches)
What to Do
- 1.Remove and trash the worst-affected leaves; don't compost them
- 2.Spray with a potassium bicarbonate solution (follow label rates) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
- 3.Next season, hold to 12–18 inch spacing and avoid overhead watering in the evening
Seedlings collapsing at the soil line within the first 2–3 weeks of germination, stems look pinched or water-soaked at the base
Likely Causes
- Damping off — most often Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungal species, both favored by wet, poorly drained seed-starting mix
- Overwatering or trays without adequate bottom drainage during the February–March indoor sow window
What to Do
- 1.Pull any affected cells immediately — damping off moves fast to neighboring seedlings
- 2.Water only when the top of the mix feels dry, and bottom-water rather than misting from above
- 3.Use a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix; don't reuse last year's potting soil for germination trays
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Cannes Rose II-III snapdragon take to flower from seed?▼
Is Cannes Rose II-III good for beginner growers?▼
Can you grow Cannes Rose II-III in containers?▼
What's the difference between Cannes Rose II-III and Potomac snapdragons?▼
Are Cannes Rose II-III flowers edible, and what do they taste like?▼
When is the best time to plant Cannes Rose II-III for continuous blooms?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.