Calendula Officinalis - Annual Flower For Your Garden © 2006

Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Pot Marigold

Calendula is a member of the daisy, or Compositae family and originated in southern Europe in the Mediterranean region. It is a cool season annual flower which will stand some light frost. They usually grow twelve to eighteen inches tall, but varieties may differ depending upon soil, weather, etc. This is a good flower for cutting and butterflies also find calendula attractive. They begin blooming in mid summer and continue until frost kills them in the fall.

In southern climates calendula is grown for winter bloom, but here in the north it is grown as a summer annual. It is rather bushy in growth pattern and the flower petals are edible, used to garnish a salad and are also used to flavor soups. Calendula has also found culinary use in coloring cheeses and butter. As an herb it has found use as a tonic and remedy for sprains. This annual flower does best in full sun, and is happy in poor soil. Calendula is a good flower for drying also, allowing you to enjoy its color in dried bouquets in the winter.

Calendula seed is large and curved, another good candidate for a children’s garden due to its large size. It will germinate in 7 - 21 days at 65 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It may be seeded directly in the garden, or for earlier bloom it can be planted six to eight weeks before frost in a sunny indoor window, hotbed, or greenhouse. Set seedlings about twelve inches apart in the flower garden.

Popular varieties:
Officinalis
The species is always popular. It has bright orange single flowers.

Touch of Red
The orange flowers have a touch of red in the uniform blooms.

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