Pink Surprise Calendula

The reason this one is called pink surprise is that the pinkish ones are in fact a surprise. Most of the flowers are a lovely gold with a bit of a darker burnish, some of the flowers have a more pinkish tinge on the edges, and some of the flowers are actually pink with touches of gold. A handsome, easy to grow, calendula. 

50 seeds

PLANTING

Calendula officinalis

Annual

Germination: 7-14 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 65-70ºF.

Seed Planting Depth: Sow 1/4” deep

Starting Indoors: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Provide 65-70ºF soil temperatures until germination. Transplant 6-12” apart after the last frost date.

Sowing Outdoors: 1-2 weeks before the last frost, sow a few seeds every 6-12". Sow every 2-3 weeks for season-long blooms. 

Spacing:  6-12”

Growth Habit:  Upright, bushy

Height and Width:  18” x 12"

Light Needs:  Full sun to part shade in hot areas

Soil Needs:  Fertile, well-drained 

Approximate days to flower from seed: 50-60 days

Uses:  Attracts pollinators, cut flowers, flower beds, containers, edible/medicinal flowers, companion plant in the vegetable garden- cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, carrots,

Care: Reseeds easily. Deadheading prolongs blooms and reduces reseeding. Pinch back to encourage a bushy growth habit. Calendulas bloom best in cooler temperatures and low humidity. If they start to decline in the hot weather, cut back and they will rebloom later in the season. They will live through light frosts and make a great late season flower.