Calendula ‘Ivory Princess’

Calendula officinalis

Features

  • Easy to grow
  • Edible
  • Medium producer
  • Pollinator-friendly
  • Suitable for containers

Description

This tall showstopper has giant flowers that are creamy buff-yellow—the color of baby duckling down. The tips of the buttercream petals are serrated and have the tiniest outline of brown, giving a ruffled, lacy effect that beautifully compliments the dark brown eye. This unreal beauty is great for bouquets and wedding work. A must-grow! Calendulas are easy to grow and the fastest flowers to bloom from seed—in just 2 months. Often called English marigolds, the plants are loved by beneficial insects. Petals can be used as fabric dye, are edible, and can be used medicinally in salves.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 55 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: when 8 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Can be direct-sown and succession-planted every 2 to 3 weeks for continual harvest.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when flowers are three-quarters open. Foliage is sticky, so wear gloves when harvesting. Expect a vase life of 6 to 8 days.

Details

Description

This tall showstopper has giant flowers that are creamy buff-yellow—the color of baby duckling down. The tips of the buttercream petals are serrated and have the tiniest outline of brown, giving a ruffled, lacy effect that beautifully compliments the dark brown eye. This unreal beauty is great for bouquets and wedding work. A must-grow! Calendulas are easy to grow and the fastest flowers to bloom from seed—in just 2 months. Often called English marigolds, the plants are loved by beneficial insects. Petals can be used as fabric dye, are edible, and can be used medicinally in salves.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 55 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: when 8 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Can be direct-sown and succession-planted every 2 to 3 weeks for continual harvest.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when flowers are three-quarters open. Foliage is sticky, so wear gloves when harvesting. Expect a vase life of 6 to 8 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Seed-Saving Mini Course

Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia

In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.