French Marigold
Strawberry Blonde Calendula is a stunning reimagining of the classic calendula flower, bred by legendary plant breeder Frank Morton. Its soft yellow-pink petals reveal a surprise cerise color on their undersides, creating a bold three-dimensional effect that catches the light from every angle. This self-seeding annual reaches harvest in just 60 days and thrives in full sun with consistent moisture, making it a quick reward for gardeners seeking both ornamental beauty and practical versatility in the garden or containers.
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The dual-tone petals of Strawberry Blonde Calendula display a captivating color contrast that transforms the flower's appearance depending on how the blooms are positioned and lit. Calendula brings remarkable versatility to the garden, serving simultaneously as a striking ornamental, a culinary herb, a natural pest repellent, and a plant with traditional healing properties. This variety's self-seeding habit means once established, it returns year after year without replanting, while thriving as a superb companion plant alongside tomatoes.
Calendula serves the garden in multiple ways simultaneously. The blooms are harvested as fresh-cut flowers that bring sunshine into homes through bouquets and arrangements. The petals possess culinary applications and have long been valued in traditional healing practices. In the vegetable garden, calendula acts as a natural pest repellent and companion plant, particularly beneficial alongside tomatoes where it supports overall garden health.
Start seeds indoors where germination occurs between 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, typically within 6 to 15 days. Sow seeds and cover them lightly with soil or seed-starting mix. Plan timing so that seedlings are ready to transplant after the last frost date in your area.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 10 inches apart in their final location. Harden off seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions before planting.
For fresh-cut flowers, harvest in the morning when blooms are at their freshest and petals are just opening, capturing the moment before the dual-tone coloring is fully exposed to light. Use a clean knife that has been dipped in a 10% household bleach solution to make cuts, which helps prevent disease transmission. A few drops of bleach added to the vase water will prolong the beauty of cut flowers, extending their display life in your home.
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“Strawberry Blonde Calendula emerged from the work of Frank Morton, a renowned plant breeder celebrated for developing innovative vegetable and flower varieties. Morton's approach to calendula breeding focused on creating new color expressions while preserving the flower's multifunctional character. This variety represents the modern evolution of calendula as a garden plant, honoring the flower's long history as a staple in both ornamental plantings and traditional herb gardens while introducing a visual surprise that appeals to contemporary gardeners seeking distinctive blooms.”