Antirrhinum Sweet Duet Apple Blossom

Antirrhinum majus 'Sweet Duet Apple Blossom' Snapdragon 'Sweet Duet Apple Blossom'

Fully double, open-faced "azalea-flowered" blooms in soft porcelain-pink and cream — each flower a ruffled, multi-petalled rosette that looks more like a miniature rose than any classic snapdragon, on strong stems with a vase life of 10 days or more.

This is the modern face of the antirrhinum — an F1 hybrid that has eliminated the traditional dragon-mouth entirely and replaced it with layer upon layer of softly ruffled petals in the most romantic colour combination the snapdragon family produces. Each bloom looks like a miniature azalea or peony, and because the closed mouth has been removed, pollination is more difficult — which paradoxically extends individual flower life as the plant continues to develop unpollinated blooms. The result is a wedding-quality cut flower that holds in the vase for 10 days or more. Bred for stamina in full sun and exceptional uniformity, this is one of the highest-performing antirrhinums available from seed.

A note on growing

Sow indoors from January to March at 20–24°C — a heated propagator or warm windowsill is ideal. Surface-sow, as antirrhinum seeds are photoblastic and require light to germinate. Germination is slow and can take 10–21 days. Pot on once large enough to handle and grow on in cool, light conditions before hardening off. Plant out only when all risk of frost has passed (late May or June) in full sun and well-drained soil. Pinch out the growing tip at 15cm to multiply cutting stems. Space 30cm apart to allow the bushy branching habit to develop fully.

Where it shines

In the cutting garden as a wedding-quality, romantic cut flower — the ruffled double blooms hold in the vase exceptionally well and the soft pink-and-cream colour suits both bridal arrangements and soft cottage garden bouquets. In high-end patio containers, where a single packet's worth of plants can fill multiple pots with rosette-like flowers all summer. The fragrance is gentle but present — sweet and slightly honeyed.

Plant alongside

For wedding-quality cutting, combine with Ammi majus, the soft tones of Achillea 'Pastel Mixed', and the silvery foliage and shocking pink of Lychnis coronaria. In the border, the pink-cream flowers pair beautifully with the white clouds of Achillea 'Marshmallow' and the soft blue of Anchusa 'Blue Angel'.