When to plant Calendula in Durham

Calendula officinalis

Calendula
Calendula · Calendula officinalis

Hardy annual for long-lasting edible and ornamental flowers. Sow direct outdoors. Keep picking and deadheading and it will flower for months. It takes full sun, and a little light shade is fine.

45 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Durham · last frost ≈ 10 May

Sow outdoors March to April. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Sow straight into the garden. This suits most UK gardens and gives a long run of flowers.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    26 Mar to 23 Apr Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow around 26th March - 23rd April where the plants are to grow. Cover with . Keep the rows lightly moist until it germinates. Sow a fresh batch every 21 days.

    • Leave seedlings where they are. Calendula dislikes root disturbance.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    9 Apr to 14 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, when seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to .

  3. 04

    Deadheading & Maintenance

    28 May to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, from 28th May to 16th October, pick and deadhead fading flowers every few days so plants keep flowering. Water in dry spells.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Calendula to consider

Pacific Beauty

Mixed orange and yellow flowers on strong, reliable plants.

Indian Prince

Double orange flowers with a darker centre, good for cutting and display.

Snow Princess

Creamy white flowers on neat plants with a clean look in borders and pots.

Oopsy Daisy

Compact plants with double flowers, handy for containers and smaller spaces.

Calendula guides by town

See how Calendula timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.