The Calendula Annual Plant Offers Bright Color To Any Garden

Calendula or Pot Marigold or Field Marigold

About The Calendula

Did you know that the Calendula annual bedding plant is used in creams to treat skin conditions, bruises, sprains or wounds? I actually use a skin cream containing this annual plant.

Some cooks even use the flower to garnish their plates or dress up a salad. Just remember not to use pesticides on the plants if deciding to use them as a garnish.

This annual bedding plant can be the brightest orange color in any garden design. The Calendula image above is from my garden taken July 19, 2009.

How To Grow The Calendula

The Calendula looks best if planted in mass and flowers from early spring to autumn frost. This is probably one of the easiest annuals to grow, provided it is planted in a full sun location. In the past, I have planted them in semi shade and as a result the blooms grow half their normal size.

Besides the bright orange color, it also grows in pastel yellow and cream colors and can have either ray or disc petals. To keep the plant blooming, deadhead when the all petals have fallen and only the seed head remains. Cut the entire stem back to keep the plant looking tidy. This also helps to create a fuller or bushier plant.

When planted in full sun, the stalks remain sturdy and the number of blooms triple.

Some great companion plants: Gazania, Bidens, Coreopsis Zagreb or Marigold Durango.

Go to my Site Index Page for additional plants.

Calendula Features:

• plant in full sun
• color, oranges, creams, light yellow
• can be used for herbal remedies. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
• will grow in either sandy, loamy or clay soils
• can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils
• grows also in semi-shade
• needs a moist soil
• flowers from June to frost
• pinch flowers back to encourage bushiness
• deadhead to encourage blooming
• can get powdery mildew if kept too moist or crowded
• grows 12" to 16" tall

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