Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Antirrhinum Sweet Duet Apple Blossom
Antirrhinum Sweet Duet Apple Blossom
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Antirrhinum 'Sweet Duet Apple Blossom' Seeds
Forget the snapping dragons of your childhood; the 'Sweet Duet' series reimagines the classic flower into something far more sophisticated. These are "azalea-flowered" snapdragons, featuring open, fully double blooms that look like ruffled petticoats.
'Apple Blossom' is the star of the series, offering a breath taking bicolour of soft porcelain pink and creamy white. Bred specifically for cutting, it produces exceptionally strong, tall stems that hold up heavy heads of flowers without snapping. It is the ultimate romantic filler for summer bouquets and wedding arrangements.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
This is an F1 Hybrid Half-Hardy Annual.
Because it is an F1 Hybrid, it has "hybrid vigour." It grows faster, stronger, and more uniformly than standard varieties. The double flowers stay open longer because they are not easily pollinated by bees, meaning a longer vase life for you.
The "Open Face": Unlike standard snapdragons, insects can't "snap" these open. They are purely ornamental, designed for visual impact.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Snapdragons are slow starters but rocket away once the weather warms up.
Germination:
Sow indoors from January to March. Surface sow onto moist compost and do not cover (they need light to germinate). Keep warm (20-22°C). Germination takes 10-14 days.
Where to Sow:
Plant out after the last frost. They love **full sun**. They are versatile and will grow in borders or large containers.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: When plants have 3-4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the top tip. This delays flowering slightly but results in a bushier plant with 6-8 flower spikes instead of just one.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Antirrhinum majus 'Sweet Duet' |
| Common Name | Double Snapdragon 'Apple Blossom' |
| Hardiness | H3 (Half-Hardy Annual - tolerates light frost) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 75cm - 90cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 25cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Premium Cut Flowers 👰 Wedding Bouquets 🐝 Bees 🌸 Pink Borders |
| Seed Count | Approx. 50 seeds per packet (F1 Hybrid) |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The soft pink tones of 'Apple Blossom' pair beautifully with other romantic shades:
- 🎀 Cosmos 'Cupcakes Blush': The Wedding Theme. The fused petals of the Cupcake Cosmos echo the double petals of the Snapdragon. Together they create a soft, frothy, pastel border.
- 🌿 Ammi Majus: The Foliage. The white lace of Ammi provides a delicate backdrop that makes the solid pink spikes of the Snapdragons stand out.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in late winter/spring. Flowers June to October.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Second Flush
If you cut the first main stem for a bouquet, the plant will send out side shoots. These will produce slightly smaller but plentiful flowers later in the summer, extending the season right into autumn.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This variety is an F1 Hybrid, meaning it has been specially bred for vigorous growth, disease resistance, and exceptional uniformity in height and colour.
