Calendula - Calendula officinalis
DESCRIPTION
Calendula has been one of my favorites since I was introduced to it in a pollinator garden at Greentree Naturals in 2013. It's an annual herb that bears edible orange or yellow daisy-like flower. I enjoy the flower heads in my daily tea!
Calendula re-seeds easily and will fill a garden bed quickly if not dead-headed. Calendula is one of the first flowers to pop in the spring, and the last to fade into winter. I've seen hopeful little flower heads clear into January, and have even had some overwinter when the conditions are just right.
I was amazed to see that my happiest calendula grew in a rocky area with no water!
MATURE PLANT SIZE:
Height: 1.5 to 2 feet, Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
WATER NEEDS
Low to None (once established)
SUN EXPOSURE
Full Sun (6 hours/day), Part Shade (4-6 hours/day)
BLOOM TIME
May-September (often earlier and later depending on weather conditions)
FLOWER COLOR
Orange to Yellow
HABIT / USE
Borders and Massing
EDIBLE PARTS
All parts of the calendula plants are useful in many ways. The plant is known to stimulate the immune system and is currently used as an ingredient in many cosmetics. Flowers and leaves of the calendula may be dried and stored for later use.
As always, do your research before consuming anything listed as edible on my site.
OTHER POLLINATORS & WILD LIFE ATTRACTED
Birds, Butterflies, Bumble Bees, Pollinators
SOIL TYPE
Poor to average, well draining soil
PROPAGATION
Seed