Hybrid

Madame Butterfly Ivory

Antirrhinum majus

a white butterfly sitting on a white flower

Madame Butterfly Ivory is a delicate hybrid flower variety prized for its elegant ivory petals and refined ornamental appeal. Reaching maturity in 110-120 days, this cultivar thrives in full sun to partial shade environments with well-draining, organically amended soil. The blooms offer a distinctly delicate floral flavor with subtle bitterness, making them ideal as sophisticated garnish accents in culinary presentations. Its easy growing difficulty and reliable performance make it accessible to gardeners of all experience levels.

Harvest

110-120d

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 Madame Butterfly Ivory in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Madame Butterfly Ivory · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining, organically amended soil with consistent moisture retention

WaterRegular; consistent moisture without waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorDelicate floral flavor with subtle bitterness; use sparingly as a garnish accent

ColorPure white

Size3-4 "

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 under lights 10–14 weeks before your last frost date — in zone 7, that means sowing in early to mid-February. Transplant out in April once nighttime temps hold above 40°F, spacing plants 12–18 inches apart. Snapdragons slow down and stop setting new blooms reliably once daytime highs push past 85°F, so a second sowing in late July or early August makes good sense — they'll pick back up as temps drop in September and carry through until frost.

Complete Growing Guide

Also known as an azalea type, Madame Butterfly's double petals create full, fluffy blooms for a Victorian look. For outdoor or greenhouse production. Bloom time comparable to group 3-4 "main season" or "all season" varieties. 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, Madame Butterfly Ivory is 110 - 120 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1). Notable features: 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

Madame Butterfly Ivory reaches harvest at 110 - 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 3-4 " at peak. 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 Madame Butterfly Ivory flowers keep for 3–5 days when stored properly. Place cut stems in a clean vase with fresh water at room temperature away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit (which produces ethylene gas that wilts flowers). Change water daily. For shorter-term storage (1–2 days), refrigerate stems in water at 35–40°F; they'll hold their appearance longer in cool conditions.

For preservation, air-dry individual petals on screens in a dark, well-ventilated room (2–3 weeks). Once completely dry and brittle, store in airtight containers away from light—these dried petals maintain color and subtle flavor for up to 6 months and work beautifully in herbal teas and baking. Alternatively, freeze petals in ice cube trays with water for decorative cocktail garnishes (up to 3 months). Press whole flowers between parchment paper under books for 2–3 weeks to create lasting botanical specimens for crafts or herbals.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Double petals create exceptionally full, fluffy blooms with charming Victorian aesthetic appeal.
+Versatile for both outdoor gardens and greenhouse production without special requirements.
+Edible flowers provide unique culinary garnish option for upscale plating applications.
+110-120 day bloom time fits main season production windows reliably.
+Rated easy difficulty makes it accessible for novice and experienced growers.

Considerations

-Floral bitter flavor requires restraint; easily overwhelms dishes if used excessively.
-Double petal structure may trap moisture, increasing susceptibility to fungal diseases.
-Snapdragon varieties are prone to rust and powdery mildew in humid conditions.

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are the most practical companion here — their root secretions deter nematodes, and they draw aphid pressure away from the snapdragons. Alyssum and catmint both attract predatory wasps and hoverflies that knock back spider mite and aphid populations without spraying. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for aphids specifically; plant them 12–18 inches out and let the pressure pile onto those instead. Keep Madame Butterfly Ivory away from black walnut and eucalyptus — both shed allelopathic compounds into the surrounding soil that stunt nearby ornamentals.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repels aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and adds vibrant color contrast

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting pollinators

Lavender

Deters pests with fragrance and provides complementary purple blooms

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while providing color variety

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides airy texture contrast

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and improves soil health

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that stunts growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Fungal issues from overhead watering

Troubleshooting Madame Butterfly Ivory

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

Sticky residue on stems and buds, with clusters of small soft-bodied insects visible, especially on new growth

Likely Causes

Aphid infestation (commonly green peach aphid, Myzus persicae) — they colonize fast in warm, dry stretches
Ants farming aphids and protecting them from predators

What to Do

1.Blast colonies off with a firm stream of water from a hose — do it in the morning so foliage dries by evening
2.Spray with insecticidal soap (2–3% solution) directly on the insects; repeat every 4–5 days until the population collapses
3.Check for ant trails on the stem and put a sticky barrier around the base if ants are actively tending the colony

Gray or white powdery coating on leaves and stems, starting mid-season after plants have been wet repeatedly

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — common on snapdragons when overhead irrigation or rain keeps foliage damp and airflow is poor
Crowded spacing below 12 inches that traps humidity around the canopy

What to Do

1.Switch to drip irrigation or water at the base only — keep water off the foliage entirely
2.Remove and bag (don't compost) any heavily coated leaves to slow spread
3.Apply a potassium bicarbonate spray or diluted neem oil (1 oz per gallon) weekly until new growth comes in clean

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Madame Butterfly Ivory take to bloom from seed?▼

Madame Butterfly Ivory reaches full bloom 110–120 days after sowing. If you start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost date and transplant seedlings outdoors after frost danger passes, you'll see first blooms in late spring to early summer, depending on your zone. Expect continuous flowering for 2–3+ months with regular deadheading.

Can you grow Madame Butterfly Ivory in containers?▼

Absolutely. Madame Butterfly Ivory performs beautifully in containers, making it ideal for patios, balconies, and small gardens. Use a 5-gallon pot with quality potting mix, and ensure drainage holes are clear. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering during heat, but you gain the advantage of moving plants to optimize light exposure and protecting them from heavy rain that damages blooms.

Is Madame Butterfly Ivory good for beginners?▼

Yes. This is an exceptionally beginner-friendly hybrid. It tolerates partial shade, forgives occasional watering inconsistencies, and resists common pests and diseases. The main attention it requires is regular deadheading to keep blooms coming. If you can deadhead and water consistently, you'll have reliable, dramatic flowers all season without advanced skills.

Are Madame Butterfly Ivory flowers safe to eat?▼

The flowers are edible and food-safe when grown without pesticides. Use them sparingly as garnishes in salads, desserts, and cocktails—they offer a delicate, slightly bitter floral flavor that can overpower dishes if used too liberally. Always confirm your plants were grown organically or pesticide-free before consuming flowers.

What's the difference between Madame Butterfly Ivory and other white azalea varieties?▼

Madame Butterfly Ivory is a hybrid selected specifically for double petals—creating a full, fluffy, layered bloom that looks almost like tissue paper. Many traditional white azaleas have single petals and a simpler structure. This variety also flowers longer (weeks of continuous bloom with deadheading) and offers edible flowers, setting it apart from purely ornamental azalea types.

When should I deadhead Madame Butterfly Ivory to keep it blooming?▼

Remove spent flowers as soon as petals begin to fade or brown—don't wait for full senescence. Pinch off individual flowers or cut spent stems back to the next leaf node. Deadheading signals the plant to produce additional flower buds. On actively blooming plants, deadhead 2–3 times per week during peak season. This simple habit extends bloom time from weeks into months.