Hybrid

Madame Butterfly Rose

Antirrhinum majus

Photo: Christian Ferrer · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Madame Butterfly Rose is a hybrid flowering rose variety prized for its delicate, fluttering petals that resemble butterfly wings. Reaching maturity in 110-120 days, this easy-to-grow cultivar thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Its blooms feature a subtle floral fragrance with slight bitterness, making it ideal as a refined garnish used sparingly in culinary applications or as a striking ornamental specimen.

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 Rose in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Madame Butterfly Rose · Zones 7–10

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Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, slightly acidic

WaterRegular

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorFloral and slightly bitter, suitable as a delicate garnish used sparingly

ColorPink, red, white, or blend (variety-dependent)

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 8-10 weeks before your last frost — late February to early March for most zone 7 gardens. Transplant out in April to May once nighttime temps are reliably above 40°F. Madame Butterfly blooms over a long window (110-120 days from seed), and because it keeps producing if you cut it regularly, a single well-timed planting carries most gardeners through the season. A second sow in early June can extend cutting into fall, but don't push past that — snapdragons slow down hard once daytime highs hold above 85-90°F, and germination becomes erratic in warm soil anyway.

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 Rose 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 Rose 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 roses should be stored in a cool location, ideally in a refrigerator at 35-40°F with 80-90% humidity to extend vase life to 7-14 days. Keep stems in clean, cool water and change water every 2-3 days. For preservation, air-dry blooms by hanging them upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Alternatively, press flowers between parchment paper under heavy books for 1-2 weeks to create dried specimens. Freeze flowers in ice cubes with water for decorative cocktail use, maintaining color and shape for several months.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Double petals create stunning, full blooms with authentic Victorian garden aesthetic
+Long bloom time of 110-120 days provides extended seasonal color display
+Edible flowers offer unique culinary garnish option for creative plating
+Easy growing difficulty makes it accessible for beginner and experienced gardeners
+Suitable for both outdoor gardens and controlled greenhouse production environments

Considerations

-Floral flavor is slightly bitter, limiting practical culinary use quantity
-Double petals may trap moisture, increasing susceptibility to fungal diseases
-Requires regular deadheading to maintain continuous blooming throughout season

Companion Plants

Lavender, catmint, and yarrow are the strongest companions here — all three attract predatory and parasitic wasps that keep aphid populations in check, and none of them compete aggressively for root space at 12-18 inch snapdragon spacing. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) pull double duty: they deter whiteflies above ground while their roots produce thiophenes that discourage soil nematodes. Alliums and rosemary work on a different principle — their volatile compounds confuse pest insects trying to locate a host plant by smell, which matters most during the aphid pressure that peaks in spring on Madame Butterfly's tender new spikes.

Black walnut is the one to stay well away from. Its roots and decomposing leaf litter release juglone, a compound phytotoxic to a wide range of annuals — snapdragons planted within the drip line will wilt and stall without any obvious cause. Large trees are a subtler problem: less about soil chemistry, more about the fact that Madame Butterfly needs at least 4-6 hours of direct sun to set a full flower spike, and a heavy canopy will cut that short before the plant ever hits its stride.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels aphids, spider mites, and other rose pests while attracting beneficial pollinators

Marigolds

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while adding vibrant color contrast

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects

Alliums

Natural fungicide properties help prevent black spot and powdery mildew

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids

Clematis

Provides vertical interest and shares similar soil and water requirements

Rosemary

Repels Japanese beetles and other rose pests with strong aromatic oils

Yarrow

Improves soil health and attracts predatory insects that control rose pests

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits rose growth and can cause yellowing and death

Large Trees

Compete for nutrients and water while creating excessive shade that reduces flowering

Brassicas

Can attract pests like cabbage worms and compete for similar nutrients

Troubleshooting Madame Butterfly Rose

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

Gray fuzzy coating on stems or flowers, usually during cool, wet weather in spring

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — thrives when humidity is high and air circulation is poor
Overcrowded planting at less than 12-inch spacing trapping moisture around stems

What to Do

1.Remove and bag infected plant material immediately — don't compost it
2.Thin or space plants to at least 12 inches so air can move through the bed
3.Water at the base only, and water in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall

Orange or rust-colored pustules on the undersides of leaves, with yellowing on top

Likely Causes

Antirrhinum rust (Puccinia antirrhini) — a fungal disease specific to snapdragons, more common in warm, humid conditions
Reusing the same bed for snapdragons year after year without rotation

What to Do

1.Pull and discard heavily infected leaves — don't leave them on the soil surface
2.Apply a sulfur-based fungicide on a 7-10 day interval if the infection is spreading
3.Rotate snapdragons to a different bed next season; Puccinia spores persist in soil debris

Soft, distorted new growth with tiny pale or green insects clustered at the shoot tips

Likely Causes

Aphid infestation (commonly Myzus persicae or Aphis gossypii) — they target tender new growth first
Excess nitrogen from over-fertilizing, which pushes out the soft tissue aphids prefer

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm stream of water from a hose — repeat every 2-3 days
2.Spray with insecticidal soap, making sure to coat the undersides of leaves where they cluster
3.Cut back on high-nitrogen fertilizer; steady, moderate feeding produces sturdier stems

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Madame Butterfly roses last in a vase?▼

With proper care, Madame Butterfly roses typically last 7-14 days in a vase. Keep stems in cool water (35-40°F), change the water every 2-3 days, and trim stems at a 45-degree angle. Remove lower leaves to prevent bacterial growth. Their double petals may take slightly longer to fully open, extending overall display time compared to single-petal varieties.

Can you grow Madame Butterfly roses in containers?▼

Yes, Madame Butterfly roses grow well in containers both indoors and outdoors. Use well-draining potting soil and ensure containers have drainage holes. Place in full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours daily). Container roses require consistent watering and may need more frequent watering than in-ground plants. They're ideal for patios, greenhouses, and indoor arrangements.

Are Madame Butterfly roses good for beginners?▼

Yes, Madame Butterfly roses are classified as easy to grow, making them excellent for beginners. They're hybrid varieties suitable for both outdoor gardens and greenhouse production. With basic care—adequate sunlight, regular watering, and well-drained soil—these plants thrive without requiring extensive horticultural knowledge or specialized techniques.

What do Madame Butterfly roses taste like as edible flowers?▼

Madame Butterfly roses have a floral, slightly bitter flavor profile. When used as edible garnish in salads, desserts, and cocktails, they provide a delicate, colorful aesthetic rather than dominant flavor. Use sparingly to avoid overwhelming dishes with their bitterness. The petals are best used fresh for maximum flavor and visual appeal.

When should I plant Madame Butterfly roses?▼

Plant Madame Butterfly roses after the last frost date in your region. They require 110-120 days to reach harvest/bloom stage, so plan accordingly for desired flowering time. These hybrid varieties perform well in full sun to partial shade environments (4-6+ hours daily). In greenhouses, you have greater flexibility with planting schedules.

Can Madame Butterfly roses be used for weddings and special events?▼

Absolutely. The full, fluffy double petals create an elegant Victorian aesthetic perfect for weddings, arrangements, and special events. Their long vase life (7-14 days) makes them reliable for event planning. The colorful blooms also work beautifully as edible garnishes for upscale event catering and cocktails.