Organic Calendula 'Solar Flashback' (Calendula officinalis) from the seed company Gaia, a heritage bicolor variety with continuous summer flowering
Calendula 'Solar Flashback' forms bushy, well-branched plants bearing large, fully double flowers approximately 7 to 8 cm across, remarkable for their striking contrast . The petals are golden on top , while their deep scarlet reverse frames a dark center , creating a rich visual effect that changes with the light. The medium-green, slightly aromatic foliage supports dense and regular flowering.
Selected and cultivated by Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seeds , this heirloom variety is distinguished by its long flowering period throughout the summer and its excellent performance in pots , particularly on patios and balconies. The petals are edible and used in cooking for their color and sweetness, provided the more bitter base of the flower is removed . Highly valued by pollinators , it actively contributes to the vitality of the garden while offering a striking ornamental presence.
Companion plants: Swiss chard, Lettuce, Tomato, Carrot, Thyme, Parsley, Cucumber, Peas, Asparagus, Radish, Pepper
Nefarious plants: Sage, Potato
Spread/Habit: Bushy, compact
Plant height: 45 to 60 cm
Quantity per packet: Approximately 25 seeds
Certification: Certified organic
Special features: Heritage variety, double two-tone flowers, edible petals, continuous summer flowering, attracts pollinators
Leaf color: Medium green
Texture/Floral appearance: Double flowers, broad and silky petals
Cold tolerance: Tolerates cool temperatures, sensitive to severe frost
Farming method
Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for up to 12 hours to promote even germination. Sow indoors 3 to 4 weeks before planting out , or directly outdoors in early spring , at a depth of 0.6 cm . Germination occurs in 6 to 14 days , at an optimal temperature of around 18°C . Transplant or thin out the seedlings, spacing them 30 to 45 cm apart, in well-drained soil .
Calendula prefers partial sun to full sun (level 2) and moderate watering (level 2) . Avoid overhead watering, as the plant can be susceptible to powdery mildew . Pinching back young plants and then again when they reach about 23 cm encourages dense, floriferous growth. Regularly removing faded flowers prolongs blooming.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest the flowers in the morning, after the dew has evaporated , when they are half-open , at which point their color and quality are optimal. The petals can be used fresh or dried in the shade and then stored away from light and moisture.
Usage ideas
• Edible flowers for salads and desserts
• Potted plants and planters
• Summer flowerbeds
• Pollinator garden
• Decorative or culinary drying
Calendula 'Solar Flashback' combines striking ornamental value , delicate culinary uses , and abundant blooms , offering a bright and reliable plant from spring until the end of summer. An expressive heirloom variety, as beautiful in the garden as it is useful in the kitchen.
