Bees and native pollinators are drawn to these flowers, making them a useful addition to your vegetable garden.
The calendula family includes about 20 species of bushy annuals and a few perennials that are native from the Canary Islands through the Mediterranean area to Iran. They were found growing wild in the Holy Land by crusaders who brought them back to Europe. Legend has it that St. Hildegard of Bingen gave the plant the name “Mary’s gold” in honor of the Virgin Mary. To this day calendulas are sometimes called “pot marigolds” though they are unrelated to regular garden marigolds (Tagetes).
CALENDULA VARIETIES
- ‘Pacific Beauty’ is my favorite but at one time we grew 8 different kinds. There are lots of interesting varieties.
- For something unusual try ‘Porcupine’ which has spiky, bright orange, quilled petals,
- ‘Touch of Red’ has dark red underneath and on the edges of each petal.
- ‘Triangle Flashback’ has a soft, apricot-pink color.
HOW TO GROW CALENDULA
Calendula is easy to grow from seeds directly sown in the garden or they can be started indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date for extra early blooms.
Calendula will tolerate poor conditions but perform best in average, well-drained garden soil, the more sun the better. They bloom best in cooler weather with low humidity and some plants may look a bit ratty by now. Cut them back and they will reward you with new growth and more flowers when the weather cools off. These plants are pretty tough and can take some frost. They will keep right on blooming until a harden freeze finally kills them.
CALENDULA SALVE
If you would like to try making a simple calendula salve, here’s an easy recipe:
Steep one cup of fresh calendula petals in one cup of olive oil in a glass jar on a sunny windowsill for about a week.
Strain the oil.
Melt 1/4 cup of beeswax and mix in the oil.
Pour into small sterilized jars and seal.
Let solidify overnight before using.
For the fullest effect, harvest the petals during the hottest part of the day, when the resins have risen to the surface of the flower.
A word of caution: People with allergies should test the salve on a small spot on the inside of the forearm and monitor it carefully for any adverse reactions.
This is one plant that is good for the garden and for the gardener alike. Make room for some comforting calendula.
Even the tiny tree frogs love it!