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Calendula 'Touch of Red' Seeds
At first glance, 'Touch of Red' appears to be a classic, vibrant orange. But look at the buds or view the flower from the side, and you'll see the magic: every petal is backed with a deep, rusty mahogany-red.
This subtle, two-tone effect gives the flowers a depth and sophistication that standard marigolds lack. It creates a "burnt orange" appearance that glows in the evening light. Perfect for cottage gardens, vegetable patches, and cut flower arrangements, this is a tough, hardworking annual that delivers style with zero fuss.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Calendula is a Hardy Annual.
It is incredibly robust, tolerating poor soil and neglect. 'Touch of Red' is a taller variety bred for cutting, producing long, sturdy stems rather than the short, squat bedding types you see in garden centres.
The "Weather Forecaster": Calendula flowers often close up when rain is coming or night falls, protecting their pollen. It’s an old country way of predicting the weather!
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Calendula seeds are famously easy to grow—perfect for beginners or children.
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 love **full sun** but will handle partial shade. They are not fussy about soil pH or quality. They are drought tolerant once established.
Care While Growing:
Deadhead: This is essential. Snip off the sticky seed heads as soon as the flowers fade. If you do this regularly, the plant will continue blooming well into autumn.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Calendula officinalis |
| Common Name | Pot Marigold 'Touch of Red' |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy - withstands cold winters) |
| Light Required | Sun or Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 45cm - 60cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flowers 🥗 Edible Petals 🐝 Pollinators 🥕 Vegetable Companion |
| Seed Count | Approx. 100 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The warm, rusty tones of 'Touch of Red' look incredible with cool blues or dark foliage:
- 🔵 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': The Classic Contrast. Orange and Blue are opposites on the colour wheel. Planting these two hardy annuals together creates a vibrant, vibrating display that buzzes with bees.
- 🥬 Dark Leafy Greens (Chard/Kale): The Potager Look. The bright orange flowers look stunning against the dark, crinkled leaves of Cavolo Nero or Rainbow Chard. It’s a productive and beautiful 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 tang (often called "Poor Man's Saffron"). Pull the orange petals off and sprinkle them over salads, soups, or even cakes for a pop of colour.
🏆 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 and butterflies.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Description
Calendula 'Touch of Red' Seeds
At first glance, 'Touch of Red' appears to be a classic, vibrant orange. But look at the buds or view the flower from the side, and you'll see the magic: every petal is backed with a deep, rusty mahogany-red.
This subtle, two-tone effect gives the flowers a depth and sophistication that standard marigolds lack. It creates a "burnt orange" appearance that glows in the evening light. Perfect for cottage gardens, vegetable patches, and cut flower arrangements, this is a tough, hardworking annual that delivers style with zero fuss.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Calendula is a Hardy Annual.
It is incredibly robust, tolerating poor soil and neglect. 'Touch of Red' is a taller variety bred for cutting, producing long, sturdy stems rather than the short, squat bedding types you see in garden centres.
The "Weather Forecaster": Calendula flowers often close up when rain is coming or night falls, protecting their pollen. It’s an old country way of predicting the weather!
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Calendula seeds are famously easy to grow—perfect for beginners or children.
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 love **full sun** but will handle partial shade. They are not fussy about soil pH or quality. They are drought tolerant once established.
Care While Growing:
Deadhead: This is essential. Snip off the sticky seed heads as soon as the flowers fade. If you do this regularly, the plant will continue blooming well into autumn.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Calendula officinalis |
| Common Name | Pot Marigold 'Touch of Red' |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy - withstands cold winters) |
| Light Required | Sun or Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 45cm - 60cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flowers 🥗 Edible Petals 🐝 Pollinators 🥕 Vegetable Companion |
| Seed Count | Approx. 100 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The warm, rusty tones of 'Touch of Red' look incredible with cool blues or dark foliage:
- 🔵 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': The Classic Contrast. Orange and Blue are opposites on the colour wheel. Planting these two hardy annuals together creates a vibrant, vibrating display that buzzes with bees.
- 🥬 Dark Leafy Greens (Chard/Kale): The Potager Look. The bright orange flowers look stunning against the dark, crinkled leaves of Cavolo Nero or Rainbow Chard. It’s a productive and beautiful 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 tang (often called "Poor Man's Saffron"). Pull the orange petals off and sprinkle them over salads, soups, or even cakes for a pop of colour.
🏆 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 and butterflies.
