Calendula - Ivory Princess

Ivory Princess produces soft, luminous blooms in shades of creamy ivory with pale butter-yellow centres, bringing a gentle elegance to the garden. Its refined colouring pairs beautifully with both pastels and deeper hues, making it a versatile choice for floral design and garden borders alike. Like all calendulas, it is quick to establish and often begins flowering within two months of sowing. Easy to grow and prone to self seeding, Ivory Princess is also highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.

50 seeds minimum.

HOW TO CARE FOR CALENDULA

PLANTING
Grows best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost or start indoors 6–8 weeks earlier. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and space them 12 inches apart for optimal growth. Germination typically occurs within 5–15 days.

GROWING
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry periods, but avoid waterlogging. Established plants are drought-tolerant but benefit from regular watering for continuous blooms. Calendulas are light feeders. Amend soil with compost before planting or apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming. Trim plants back by a third mid-season to rejuvenate growth and maintain a tidy appearance. While relatively pest-resistant ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.

HARVESTING
For cut flowers, harvest in the morning when blooms are fully open. Calendula flowers are edible, and petals can be used fresh or dried in culinary dishes or herbal preparations.