Calendula 'Snow Princess' Seeds

Calendula officinalis 'Snow Princess' is a breeding breakthrough. While most marigolds are hot oranges and yellows, this stunning variety produces large, semi-double flowers in shades of rich vanilla, primrose, and buttermilk, fading to near-white as they mature.

Each flower is centred with a contrasting dark eye, giving it a refined, elegant look. It creates a cooling effect in the border, bringing the resilience and flower power of a marigold but with a colour palette that fits perfectly into a pastel or white garden scheme.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Snow Princess'

This is the perfect choice for gardeners who love the easy-going nature of Calendula but find the traditional orange varieties too bright. 'Snow Princess' mixes beautifully with blues, purples, and soft pinks without clashing.

It is also a fantastic cut flower. The stems are long and sturdy, and the creamy flowers look beautiful in a jug on the kitchen table. Like all Calendulas, the petals are edible—imagine these pale, creamy petals scattered over a summer cake or floating in a punch bowl!

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 distinctive—they look like little curled, dried caterpillars! They are large and very easy to handle.

🌱 Germination:
You can start them indoors, but 'Snow Princess' 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. If you grow them in very rich soil, you might get lots of lush leaves but slightly fewer flowers, so don't overfeed them.

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 creamy blooms are the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The creamy-yellow tones of 'Snow Princess' look incredibly chic when paired with cool blues or fresh whites. Here are my top pairings from the shop:

• 💙 Cornflowers (Blue): The pale buttermilk of this Calendula contrasts softly with the vibrant blue of Cornflowers. It creates a classic cottage look that feels fresh and modern rather than loud.
• ☁️ Ammi majus (Bishop's Flower): The white lace of Ammi acts as a beautiful filler, blending with the pale Calendula flowers to create a light, airy display that looks wonderful in the border or a vase.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

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

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)