Ornamental
Flashback Calendula is a spectacular open-pollinated annual that brings a riot of bicolor petals in a stunning mix of colors to gardens and cutting buckets alike. This quick-flowering variety reaches 18-24 inches tall and produces harvestable blooms in just 50-55 days, making it one of the fastest routes to color. Plant it in cool weather for weeks of continuous flowers, simply deadhead regularly to keep the blooms coming, and in mild climates, you can even sow again in late summer for winter or early spring flowers.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-11
24in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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What sets Flashback Calendula apart is its remarkable speed and prolific flower production combined with those eye-catching bicolor petals. This variety thrives in full sun and grows as a compact, bushy plant that's equally at home in garden beds or cut-flower rows. The flowers are ready to harvest at just 50-55 days, and with succession planting every 2-3 weeks, you can have continuous blooms from summer straight through to heavy frost. It's the kind of calendula that rewards you for simply removing spent flowers with an explosion of new buds.
Flashback Calendula is grown primarily as a premium cut flower, where its bicolor blooms bring vibrant color and longevity to fresh arrangements. The flowers can also be harvested and used as edibles once fully open, though the petals should be separated from the calyx and flower center before using in dishes.
In early spring, sow seeds 1 inch apart in a seed starting mix and cover with 1/2 inch of soil. Keep the mix evenly moist as seedlings emerge and provide good light. When seedlings reach 2-3 inches tall, gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions before transplanting. Sow indoors about 4-5 weeks before your planned outdoor planting date.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after danger of frost has passed, spacing them 8 inches apart. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting to ensure sturdy establishment.
Direct seed outdoors after danger of frost has passed, sowing at a depth of 1/4 inch. For continuous blooms, make 2-3 successive sowings 2-3 weeks apart. This will provide flowers from summer through to heavy frost. In mild climates, you can also direct sow in late summer for winter or very early spring flowers.
For cut flowers, harvest once the bloom is about 50% open, which gives you maximum vase life. For edible uses, harvest once the flowers are fully open, then pull the petals away from the calyx and flower center before using in dishes.
Remove faded flowers regularly to keep blooms coming throughout the season. This deadheading encourages the plant to produce more flowers and extends the flowering period significantly.
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