Cantaloupe Calendula is a vibrant cultivar of Calendula officinalis bred to showcase warm, melon-inspired tones in its flower petals. Growing 18 to 24 inches tall with a compact 12-inch spread, this frost-tolerant annual thrives across hardiness zones 2 through 11, blooming reliably from spring through fall. From seed to first flowers takes 84 to 98 days, and the plants attract pollinators while shrugging off deer and drought stress, making them dependable performers in gardens where water is scarce or wildlife pressure is high.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
24in H x 12in W
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Moderate
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The cantaloupe coloring sets this calendula apart, delivering warm peachy-orange tones that feel both nostalgic and garden-fresh. It tolerates frost, handles drought once established, and blooms for months across nearly every U.S. growing zone. These compact plants attract bees and butterflies while resisting deer browsing, and they'll grow from seed to open flower in roughly three months with minimal fussing.
Cantaloupe Calendula is grown primarily as an ornamental flower for garden display and fresh-cut arrangements. The petals are prized by florists for their warm color and long vase life when harvested and conditioned properly.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost. Germinate at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, then grow seedlings at 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sprouts emerge in 5 to 14 days. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last average spring frost has passed. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting. Space transplants 1 inch apart.
Direct sow in early to mid-spring, just before the last average frost date. For fall blooms, sow again in midsummer. In zones 8 through 10 with mild winters, you can also sow in early autumn.
For fresh-cut flowers, harvest in the morning when blooms are at their freshest and petals are just beginning to open. Cut with a clean knife dipped in a 10% household bleach solution to prevent disease transmission. A few drops of bleach in the vase water will prolong the flowers' beauty and vase life.
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