Calendula Buff Pygmy is a little beauty! Layers of petals form the two tone flowers which also boast dark centres and darker shade on the reverse. They’re shorter, which makes them perfect for tucking amongst the veggies or planting en masse in a container for a stunning display. Easy to grow, and the more you pick or deadhead, the more they simply keep on flowering.
🌸 Flowering: June to September
📏 Height: 30 to 40cm
🌿 Annual
💧 Drought tolerant once established
Sow: in March or May either where they are to flower or in modules for transplanting. Cover the seeds (10mm deep) as they like to germinate in the dark. Germination takes around 2 weeks. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to small pots and grow on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant out. Alternatively, sow in autumn for early flowering the following year. Overwinter seedlings in a conservatory or greenhouse.
Grow: space plants about 15-20cm apart, a little closer if planting in containers. Cut flowers or deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. An easy annual that's ideal for children to grow.
Enjoy: you'll probably find yourself picking a few flowers every time you wander into the garden. Some for a little vase, a few petals for the salad and plenty left for the bees.
🏡 In your garden
• City and courtyard gardens
• Cottage, informal and wildlife gardens
• Container plants and garden edging
• Vegetable gardens
• Cutting gardens
• Flower borders and beds
✂️ Cut flower
• Fresh vase life of 7+ days
🐝 Wildlife friendly
• RHS Plants for Pollinators recommended
• Bees, hoverflies and beneficial predatory insects that help manage garden pests
🐞 Companion planting
• Grow near cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and kale, where they can help act as a trap crop for common pests.
• Attract pollinators to your crops
• Space-saving size
🍴 Edible
• The petals are safe for culinary use
• Add fresh petals to green salads for a splash of colour.
• The petals also make a colourful garnish on cakes, soups and rice dishes
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