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Seeds

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
aka Pot Marigold
Plant Type: Annual
Bloom Time: Early summer to frost
Height:  12" to 24"
Exposure: Partial shade to full Sun
Sow Outside:  Mid April
Sow Inside:  Mid March - once introduced it will readily reseed
Seed Depth:  1/4"
Seed Spacing:  4"
Days to Emerge:  5 to 15
Width: 10-12"
Pressing:  Yes
Edible:  Pedals
Native to:  Southern Europe
Drying:. Hang in bunches of 4-5 stems

This traditional cottage garden flower begins to bloom in late spring.  It slows down in the summer, just tolerating the summer heat.  Calendula greets the cools days of fall with a profusion of yellow or orange blooms.  Calendula, along with tall, sweet allysum are always among the last plants blooming in our gardens in the fall.  It's easy to grow, tolerating any type of soil, and happy with a lot of water or a little. Also known as Also called pot marigold, the calendula is edible and long lasting in bouquets. 

This native of southern Europe is a popular garden plant, but only the variety with deep orange flowers have any medicinal value.  All varieties however, will yield a yellow to orange dye when the flowers are boiled in water.

 

  • In years past, the pedals were used to make dye for fabric and were used to color butter, custards, and liquors.
  • During the Civil War, the plant was used to stop bleeding and heal wounds
  • A calendula rise is used to brighten hair and bring out gold highlights.
 

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