Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Calendula Neon
Calendula Neon
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Calendula 'Neon' Seeds
If you want colour that can be seen from the other end of the garden, 'Neon' is the one. It produces fully double, densely packed flowers in a vibrant, glowing orange that seems to radiate its own light.
This is a high-energy plant. The blooms are larger and fuller than standard pot marigolds, often with reddish-brown tips on the outer petals that add to the fiery effect. It stands tall on sturdy stems, making it an excellent cut flower that brings a burst of sunshine indoors, even on the cloudiest days.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Calendula is a Hardy Annual.
'Neon' is a modern selection chosen for its high petal count (doubleness) and intense pigmentation. It is robust, disease-resistant, and incredibly floriferous.
The "Light Bulb" Effect: The colour is so intense that in the evening light, the flowers almost appear fluorescent against the dark green foliage.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Calendula is one of the easiest and most rewarding seeds to grow.
Germination:
Sow directly outdoors where they are to flower. For summer blooms, sow March-May. For early spring blooms next year, sow in Autumn (Sept). Cover seeds with 1cm of soil. Germination is rapid (7-10 days).
Where to Sow:
They demand **full sun** to flower their best. They are unfussy about soil type, thriving in everything from sandy loam to clay, provided it isn't waterlogged.
Care While Growing:
Deadhead: Snip off dead flower heads regularly. This prevents the plant from setting seed and encourages a continuous flush of new buds right up until the frost.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Calendula officinalis |
| Common Name | Pot Marigold 'Neon' |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy - withstands cold winters) |
| Light Required | Sun or Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 50cm - 60cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flowers 🥗 Edible Garnish 🐝 Bees & Pollinators 🔥 Hot Borders |
| Seed Count | Approx. 100 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The intense orange of 'Neon' needs strong colours to stand up to it:
- 💜 Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens': The Jewel Clash. The deep purple-blue bells and silver foliage of Cerinthe provide a cooling contrast to the hot orange of the Calendula.
- 🌿 Dill 'Mammoth': The Acid Green. The feathery, lime-green foliage and yellow flowers of Dill look fantastic against the solid orange discs of 'Neon', creating a fresh, zesty combination.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in spring for summer flowers, or autumn for early spring flowers.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Spring | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Sow Autumn | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Edible Garnish
The petals are 100% edible. They have a mild, peppery flavour. The vibrant orange petals of 'Neon' look amazing sprinkled on cupcakes or summer salads.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Calendula is a lifeline for nature. It is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, producing high-quality nectar that is easily accessible to bees.
