Hybrid

Costa 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 Costa 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. Costa 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. Costa Rose II is medium-dark pink, one shade lighter than Costa Deep Rose II, and one shade darker than Costa Light Rose II. Overall performance is consistent with the rest of the Costa II 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 Costa Rose II in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Costa Rose II · Zones 7–10

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Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorFloral flavor with a slightly bitter taste; use sparingly as a delicate garnish.

ColorMedium-dark 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	—

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

Costa 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

For fresh storage, keep cut Costa Rose II snapdragon stems in a cool location (50-65°F) in a clean vase with fresh flower food and water. Refrigerate at 35-40°F for extended shelf life of 7-14 days. Maintain 80-90% humidity to prevent petal wilting. Preservation methods: air-dry bundles upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create dried arrangements; glycerin treatment (1:1 ratio with water) produces supple, long-lasting stems; or freeze in silica gel for 1-2 weeks to preserve color and form for crafts.

History & Origin

Costa 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 with uniform field or greenhouse growth
+Adapts better than most Group 2 snapdragons to warmer, longer day conditions
+Performs consistently in spring, fall, and overwintered early spring production
+Medium-dark pink color offers appealing shade between deeper and lighter Costa varieties
+Edible flowers provide decorative, colorful garnish for culinary applications

Considerations

-Flower and stem quality decline significantly under long days and high temperatures
-Requires cool conditions and short days for optimal performance and blooms
-Slightly bitter floral flavor limits edible flower use to sparse applications

Companion Plants

Lavender, catmint, and rosemary all make good neighbors for Costa Rose II — drought-tolerant once established, they don't compete hard for water, and their aromatic foliage tends to confuse aphids and thrips that would otherwise zero in on snapdragon blooms. Marigolds (Tagetes species) pull their weight here too: their root secretions suppress soil nematodes, and dense plantings help break up insect flight paths. Chives, garlic, and alliums work on a similar principle — strong scent, minimal footprint, shallow roots that don't crowd snapdragons in the top 6–12 inches of soil. Nasturtiums double as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them onto leaves you can pull and toss before the problem reaches your blooms.

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is the one neighbor that can quietly kill Costa Rose II outright — it releases juglone through its roots, and sensitive annuals planted within the drip line often yellow and collapse without any obvious cause. Large trees present a different problem: their canopy cuts the 6+ hours of sun this variety needs to set flower, and their surface roots pull moisture away from shallower-rooted annuals. Brassicas don't belong nearby either — they're heavy feeders that pull the same nutrients and can host cabbage loopers (Trichoplusia ni) that will wander into neighboring beds once populations build.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels aphids, moths, and other pests while attracting beneficial pollinators

Marigold

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies through natural pest-repelling compounds

Chives

Repels aphids and Japanese beetles while improving soil with sulfur compounds

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent black spot and powdery mildew

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects

Allium

Deters aphids, thrips, and rose chafers with strong sulfur compounds

Nasturtium

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

Rosemary

Repels carrot flies, cabbage moths, and other harmful insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits rose growth and can cause wilting

Large Trees

Compete for nutrients and water while creating excessive shade that weakens roses

Brassicas

Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may stunt rose growth

Troubleshooting Costa Rose II

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

Gray fuzzy coating on stems or flower buds, plants collapsing in cool, damp conditions

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — thrives in temps between 60–77°F with high humidity and poor airflow
Crowded spacing that traps moisture around stems

What to Do

1.Remove and bin (don't compost) any affected stems and buds immediately
2.Space plants at least 9–12 inches apart and avoid overhead watering — water at the base in the morning
3.Apply a copper-based fungicide if the problem is spreading to neighboring plants

Rust-colored pustules on undersides of leaves, with yellow spots visible on the top surface

Likely Causes

Antirrhinum rust (Puccinia antirrhini) — a fungal disease specific to snapdragons, spread by wind and splashing water
Wet springs or poorly drained beds that keep foliage damp for extended periods

What to Do

1.Strip affected leaves and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost pile
2.Thin plants and pull any weeds crowding the base to improve airflow
3.Rotate snapdragons out of the same bed for at least one season — Puccinia antirrhini spores persist in soil debris through winter

Seedlings falling over at the soil line, stems pinched and brown at the base

Likely Causes

Damping off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia species — common when germination trays stay waterlogged above 70°F
Reusing unsterilized seed-starting mix or trays from a previous season

What to Do

1.Start fresh with a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix — don't reuse last year's
2.Water from the bottom by setting trays in a shallow dish rather than pouring over the top
3.Run a small fan near seedlings for 1–2 hours a day to keep surface moisture down

Spindly, flopping stems with sparse blooms, plants stretching toward one side

Likely Causes

Insufficient light — Costa Rose II needs at least 6 hours of direct sun to stay upright and bloom well
Starting transplants indoors too early without supplemental lighting, producing etiolated seedlings before April

What to Do

1.Site in full sun; if growing under a south-facing window indoors, add a grow light 2–3 inches above seedlings for 14–16 hours a day
2.Pinch the growing tip once when transplants are 4–6 inches tall — this encourages branching and a sturdier plant
3.If plants are already floppy, stake with thin bamboo canes and move this variety to a sunnier spot next season

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Costa Rose II snapdragon flowers last after cutting?▼

Cut stems typically last 7-14 days in a vase with fresh water and flower food, stored in cool conditions (50-65°F). Refrigeration at night can extend vase life. Regular water changes and stem re-cutting every 2-3 days will maximize longevity and bloom quality.

Can you grow Costa Rose II snapdragons in containers?▼

Yes, Costa Rose II adapts well to container growing. Use well-draining potting soil and containers at least 6-8 inches deep. Place in full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours daily). Water consistently to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than in-ground plantings.

Is Costa Rose II a good variety for beginners?▼

Yes, it's excellent for beginners. The variety is rated as 'Easy' and the Costa series is noted for robust stems, uniform growth, and consistent performance even under less-than-ideal conditions. Both field and greenhouse cultivation are straightforward, making it suitable for first-time flower growers.

When should I plant Costa Rose II snapdragons for spring flowering?▼

For early spring flowering, plant seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or overwintered fall-planted specimens inside an unheated tunnel. The variety performs exceptionally well in spring trials and is specifically bred for performance under short days and cool temperatures, ideal for overwintering.

What does Costa Rose II snapdragon taste like as an edible flower?▼

The flowers have a floral flavor with a slightly bitter taste. Use sparingly as a colorful garnish in salads, desserts, and drinks. The medium-dark pink hue makes them visually striking, but the flavor is delicate, so they're best used as a subtle accent rather than a dominant ingredient.

How does Costa Rose II compare to other snapdragon varieties?▼

Costa Rose II is a Group 2 snapdragon that's more adaptable than typical Group 2 varieties. It produces strong stems and high-quality blooms even under warmer, longer-day conditions. It's medium-dark pink—lighter than Costa Deep Rose II but darker than Costa Light Rose II. The series is known for consistent performance across field, tunnel, and greenhouse settings.