A well-known self-seeding hardy annual with sunny orange flowers, it has been used for centuries in cosmetics, as a healing herb for the skin and as a culinary herb. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Edible flowers
- Self-seeding
- Cottage garden plant
- Dye herb
A flower that cheers you up as soon as you look it, in folklore the petals scattered under your pillow protected you whilst you were asleep and made your dreams come true. Calendula cream can be bought in most pharmacies and is used for reducing inflammation, healing cuts and grazes, chapped hands and minor burns. It has a soothing effect on the digestive system effect and the flower petals can be used in culinary dishes, most notably rice based ones like paella.
Plant Care
- Height: 10-30cm
- Type: Half Hardy
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Orange
- Flowering period: June - September
This sun loving annual is happy in most soils and grows really well in containers. The only pests to look out for is slugs who seem to find the leaves quite delicious, although calendula easily outgrows the munching once they begin to take off, it is just when they are young it can be a problem. At the end of the summer harvest the seed when ripe for sowing the following spring or leave to self-seed naturally.