Strawberry Blonde Calendula, Organic

Calendula, often called the "Pot Marigold," has been a kitchen and medicine garden staple for centuries.

• The "Flashback" Difference: The "Flashback" series was developed to bring a refined, contemporary aesthetic to this classic heirloom. By selecting for more muted, complex petal colors, breeders created a Calendula that transcends the standard "bright orange" look, making it a favorite for modern floral designers.
• A Gardener’s Guardian: Like its heirloom ancestors, Strawberry Blonde is a legendary companion plant. Gardeners have historically tucked them into vegetable rows to help deter pests and attract beneficial pollinators, making this a beautiful—and functional—addition to your garden beds.

Strawberry Blonde is all about subtle color shifts and intricate texture.

• The Blooms: Each fully-double blossom is a work of art. The undersides of the petals often feature a soft, dusty pink that blends into a creamy, sunny yellow on the inner petals. This creates a shimmering, multi-tonal effect that is particularly striking in the low, golden light of late afternoon.
• The Habit: Reaching an ideal 18 inches in height, these plants have a sturdy, branching habit that stays upright without the need for staking.
• The Texture: The petals are dense, soft, and velvety, offering a rich, layered appearance that makes them look like they are overflowing with color.

Calendula is a cool-season annual that thrives in the crisp air of spring and autumn, providing a long, reliable window of color.

Garden Bed Coverage: One packet from Firefly Farm & Mercantile provides enough seed to perfectly cover a 37.5 square foot bed (roughly 15' long by 30" wide).

"We love the way the Strawberry Blonde colors shift from soft pink to golden yellow—it’s like watching a sunset every time you look at your garden border. They are incredibly easy to grow from seed, they don't mind a little bit of frost in the spring, and they keep blooming until the ground gets hard in the winter."

• Sowing: Direct-sow in early spring. These seeds love the cool weather and germinate quickly. Lightly cover with ¼ inch of soil.
• Edible Petals: Like all heirloom Calendula, the petals of Strawberry Blonde are edible! They have a mild, slightly peppery flavor and make a beautiful, "antique-colored" addition to spring salads.
• Deadheading: Snip off faded flower heads to encourage the plant to bloom right up until the first hard freeze of the year.