Banana Blizzard?

I'm surprised they were selling Calendula at all in early August. Do you live somewhere they would overwinter? If the bugs looked like aphids they could well be. There are many species of various colours. That said, I've never had anything attack mine.

I live in Northeastern Ohio and have never planted Calendula before, so have no experience to share. I have heard of the plant, but that's all. Yes, I believe that was the name - Banana Blizzard, a nice shade of yellow with some initial orange it seems. Healthy looking plants otherwise.

Yes, I recall now that Calendula seed packets are on the seed racks in the Spring. They are indeed annuals here. Thanks.

I'm pretty sure that Banana Blizzard is one of the Winter Wonders, a line of hardy perennial calendula and not available as seed. They would be a nice addition to an Ohio garden, but this is not an ideal time of year to plant.

I should have been more specific. When I said one could sow seeds I meant Calendula seeds, not specifically Banana Blizzard seeds. There are yellow and white/cream seeds strains available which wouldn't be that different from BB. Cream shades Calendula

After all the public blowback about the suppliers of Big Box stores selling plants treated with pesticides toxic to pollinators, their answer is to spray the plants themselves. I never buy plants from these places. There are many good online nurseries that don't ship bug infested plants treated with poisons, Bluestone Perennials and Niche Gardens just to name a couple. You were wise to leave the Calendulas at Lowes.

They were very pretty and unique (to me) plants with a different textured foliage that would be welcome amidst what I have planted now.

I've never really encountered bug infested plants at any nurseries or big box stores before.