Antirrhinum 'Sweet Duet Apple Blossom' Seeds

Antirrhinum majus 'Sweet Duet Apple Blossom' is a truly exquisite variety. It captures the delicate, blushing colours of a spring orchard—soft creamy white centres fading into gentle shell-pink edges.

Unlike standard snapdragons, the 'Sweet Duet' series produces fully double, azalea-shaped flowers that are incredibly ruffled and frothy. They don't "snap" shut; instead, they remain open and airy, giving them an expensive, high-end look that is perfect for wedding bouquets or elegant vase arrangements.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Sweet Duet'

If you love bringing flowers indoors, this is the plant for you. It was bred specifically for the cut flower market, which means it produces exceptional, long, sturdy stems that don't collapse. The vase life is superb—often lasting over 10 days.

But even if you leave them in the garden, they are wonderful performers. They are heat-tolerant and vigorous, growing taller than bedding varieties to create impressive vertical spikes of marshmallow-pink fluff that bloom tirelessly from mid-summer until the frosts.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Half-Hardy Annual?

Antirrhinum is technically a short-lived perennial, but in the UK we grow it as a Half-Hardy Annual.

This means we sow it fresh every spring to get the most vigorous display. While it can't handle deep freezes, it is tougher than many people realize. If you have a mild winter and a sheltered spot, don't be surprised if your plants survive to flower a second year, though they are always best in their first season.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Growing Double Snapdragons is just as easy as the standard types.

🌱 Germination (The Light Trick):
These seeds need light to germinate. Sow them on the surface of moist compost and press them down gently. Do not cover them with soil (or use only the finest dusting of vermiculite). Keep them warm (around 20-24°C) and moist, and they should appear within 10-14 days.

Where to Sow:
Start them indoors in trays from January to March for the earliest flowers. You can also sow them in autumn (August/September) and overwinter them in a greenhouse for massive, early plants next spring.

Care While Growing:
The "Pinch": When the seedlings are about 3-4 inches tall, nip out the top pair of leaves. This is crucial for this variety—it stops it growing one single tall stem and encourages it to branch out, giving you multiple stems suitable for cutting.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if these romantic blooms are the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Because 'Apple Blossom' is such a soft, frothy pink, it needs white companions to keep the look fresh and airy. Here are my top picks from the shop:

• ☁️ Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina': The tiny white pom-poms of 'Ballerina' (The Pearl) look absolutely magical when tucked in next to the ruffled pink spikes of this Snapdragon. It’s a texture match made in heaven.
• 🌿 Ammi majus (Bishop's Flower): A florist classic. The flat white lace of Ammi contrasts beautifully with the upright, vertical spikes of the Snapdragon, creating a perfectly balanced bouquet.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow early indoors for the longest flowering season.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)