Calendula officinalis Pot Marigoldfrom the family Asteraceae Herb of the month, April
"Calendula is a herb now widely used as a medicine, food colourant and cosmetic ingredient - effective for most minor skin complaints, it even helps to alleviate nappy rash. Just looking at the sunny orange flowers cheers the spirit, and it's also an excellent companion plant in the organic garden." Jekka McVicar
This sunny flower - the 'merrybuds' of Shakespeare - was first used in Indian and Arabic cultures before being discovered by the ancient Egyptians, who valued marigold as a rejuvenating herb.
Calendula officinalisPot Marigold
Calendula flower
The Greeks garnished and flavoured food with its golden petals.
Both the Greeks and Romans treated marigold as the poor man's saffron, flavouring and colouring their food
with the petals.
In India, wreaths of marigold were used to crown the gods and goddesses. In medieval times, marigold was considered an emblem of love and used as chief ingredient in a complicated spell promising young maidens knowledge of whom they would marry. To dream of marigolds was a sign of all good things; simply to look at them would drive away evil humours.
The botanical name comes from the Latin calendae, meaning 'the first day of the month'.
Propagation
Seed: Sow marigold seed in autumn under protection directly into prepared pots or singly into plug module trays, in a standard seed compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark, covering lightly with compost. Plant out in the spring after any frost, 30 - 45cm apart.
Alternatively, in spring, sow direct onto a prepared site in the garden
Garden Cultivation: Marigold is a very tolerant plant, growing in any soil that is not waterlogged but prefers, and looks best in a sunny position. The flowers are sensitive to variations of temperature and dampness; open flowers forecast a fine day.
Encourage continuous flowering by deadheading. It self-seeds abundantly but seems never to become a nuisance.
Pot Marigolds make excellent companion plants in the organic garden, acting as a deterrent to asparagus beetles and tomato horn worms
Container Growing: Marigolds look very cheerful in containers and combine well with other plants. Well suited to window boxes, but not so in hanging baskets, where they will become stretched and leggy. Use a standard potting compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark. Pinch out the growing tips to stop the plant from becoming too tall and leggy. Deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms.
Harvesting: Pick marigold flowers just as they open during summer, both for fresh use and for drying. Dry at a low temperature. Pick leaves young for fresh use; they are not much good preserved.
Marigold flower petals make a good culinary dye.
Uses:
Culinary: Marigold flower petals make a very good culinary dye. They have been used for butter and cheese, and as a poor man's saffron to colour rice. They are also lovely in salads and omlettes, and make an interesting cup of tea. Young leaves can be added to salads.
Medicinal: Marigold flowers contain antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that promote healing. Make a compress or a poultice of the flowers for burns, scalds and stings. Also useful in the treatment of varicose veins, chilblains and impetigo. A cold infusion may be used as an eyewash for conjunctivitis, and can be a help in the treatment of thrush. The sap from the stem has a reputation for removing warts, corns and calluses.
There are many skin and cosmetic preparations that contain marigold. Infuse the flowers and use as a skin lotion to reduce large pores, nourish and clear the skin, and clear up spots and pimples.
Marigold Fiesta Gitana
How to Order: we currently grow 2 varieties
of Calendula, listed below.
