Calendula 'Neon' Seeds

Calendula officinalis 'Neon' lives up to its name. While standard marigolds are a flat orange, 'Neon' seems to glow from within. It produces densely double flowers with petals that are tipped in deep burgundy-red, creating a vibrating, intense orange colour that demands attention.

It is a variety that bridges the gap between the vegetable garden and the ornamental border. It looks stunning in a vase, holds its colour well when dried, and lights up the garden even on the dullest rainy days.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Neon'

We love this variety because it works so hard. It is an edible flower—the petals look spectacular sprinkled over a green salad or frozen into summer drinks. It is also a fantastic cut flower, with long stems that last well in water.

Like all Calendulas, it is a gardener's best friend. The sticky stems trap pests, and the open flowers attract hoards of hoverflies and bees, helping to pollinate your crops and keep your beans and roses aphid-free.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

Calendula is a Hardy Annual.

This means it completes its life cycle in one year. Because it is "Hardy," it is tough enough to withstand cold weather. You can sow it in spring for summer flowers, or—for the earliest, strongest blooms—sow it in autumn to overwinter. It is also a famous "self-seeder," often dropping seeds that will pop up as free plants the following year.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Calendula seeds are unique—they look like little curled caterpillars! They are large and very easy to handle.

🌱 Germination:
You can start them indoors, but 'Neon' actually prefers to be sown directly into the soil where it is to flower. Sow the seeds about 1cm deep (they like to be well-covered with soil as darkness aids germination). Keep the soil moist, and they will germinate quickly, usually within 7-14 days.

Where to Sow:
They love full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They are not fussy about soil types and will happily grow in poor, free-draining soil. In fact, soil that is too rich often results in lots of leafy growth but fewer flowers.

Care While Growing:
The Golden Rule: You must keep picking! If you let the seed heads form, the plant thinks its job is done and will stop flowering. Keep snipping off the old heads (or picking fresh flowers for the house), and it will keep producing buds right through to the first frosts.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if these glowing blooms are the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The intense orange of 'Neon' needs strong partners to stand up to it. Here are my top pairings from the shop:

• 💙 Cornflowers (Blue): This is arguably the best colour combination in the garden world. The electric orange of 'Neon' vibrates against the deep royal blue of Cornflowers. Plant them mixed together for a dazzling display.
• ☁️ Ammi majus (Bishop's Flower): If the orange feels too intense, the white lace of Ammi cools it down immediately, turning a riot of colour into a sophisticated florist's bouquet.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow direct outdoors in spring or autumn. Successional sowing extends the harvest.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)