Calendula

Jan 3

Calendula oficinalis | annual | 50-60 days to maturity

Calendula ‘Bronze Beauty’ blooming in March. Photo by Allie Case.

Calendula “Bronze Beauty” and “Ivory Princess” are some of my favorite cool season flowers here in Zone 9b. An herbaceous annual that is fast to flower, calendula doesn’t mind a bit of frost or over/under watering. The stems and leaves are sticky when cut, but I like to think of it as free hand lotion (calendula is a natural anti inflammatory and is often found in many ointments that treat dry skin, burns, and cuts). Florists - these little guys don’t get very tall but they have a fantastic vase life when harvested at the right stage. I’m going to start another round of seeds today and thinking of direct sowing some more of these cuties..I have a patch that self sows at this point, but I can always use more!

This seed is also the perfect at home activity for parents with littles during the short winter days of December and January. Grab a few pots, some soil, and push the seeds about twice their length down into the soil. Keep evenly watered on your porch or near a bright window and you’ll have happy little flowers in about 3 months!

I like to order my Bronze Beauty seeds from Floret, and found my Ivory Princess seeds through Johnny’s.