Calendula Strawberry Blonde boasts a beautiful antique inspired look that is perfect for a cottage garden or cheerful border planting. Open faced daisy, disk type flowers explode with abundant layered petals. Petals have an ombre effect, starting yellow close to the center eye, then transitioning to a delicate pink-apricot color with contrasting underside of warm maroon, giving the blooms a bold, three-dimensional effect. Flowers float in abundance atop upright, Tall  bushy plants.
 
Well known for its medicinal properties, Calendula is also edible and Strawberry Blonde makes a superb addition to fresh salads or as a noteworthy side garnish to dress up special dishes. A super star in the cut flower world, this variety is used both fresh and dried.
 
Details:
Life Cycle: Hardy annual
Site: Full Sun
Height: 32-36”
Avg. days to germinate: 7-14 days
Days to maturity: 60 days
Plant spacing: 9-12”
Pinch: when 9” tall 
Approx seeds per packet: 30

How to Grow:
 
Calendula is cold tolreant, grows easily in any regular garden soil, and thrives in a pH range of 5.5-7.0. Pinch back young plants to encourage bushy growth. Occasional feeding is rewarded, but unnecessary. Keep plants watered, but try to avoid overhead watering as plants are susceptible to mildew. Deadhead regularly to prevent self-sowing.
Also can be sown in succession every 2-3 weeks to extand blooming.
 
Calendula repels a number of bad nematodes in the soil. Plant with tomatoes and asparagus.
 
 
Harvest: 
Harvest once the bloom is about 50% open.
 
 
Vase Life:
With a proper care and handling 5-7 days