CALENDULA

Calendula is known for its vibrant sunny blooms. Although it is often called pot marigold, it is not in the same genus as the Tagates marigolds. Calendula is generally easy to care for, being heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant. It has many uses including medicinal, culinary, and dye applications, as well as being beautiful cut flowers. This is a good plant to grow in the vegetable garden, especially as a companion plant near tomatoes and beans.

VARIETY: Pacific Beauty

BLOOM COLOR: golden yellow, orange

BOTANICAL NAME: Calendula officinalis

ANNUAL OR PERENNIAL?: hardy annual, may self-reseed (it is easy to save the seeds)

WARM SEASON OR COOL SEASON?: warm - may live through light frosts

PLANT SIZE: 12 to 24 inches tall with blooms that are about 2.5 inches across

LIGHT NEEDS: 6 hours of full sun a day, can tolerate partial shade

WATER NEEDS: normal (about an inch of water total per week), somewhat drought-tolerant

FERTILIZER NEEDS: normal (either a balanced fertilizer or a higher potash fertilizer about once a month)

IDEAL SOIL CONDITIONS: well-draining soil that has been amended with compost at least 3 months prior to planting time

PLANT SPACING FOR TRANSPLANTS: 12 inches between plants

PLANT SUPPORTS NEEDED?: no

WHEN TO PLANT OUT: after last frost date

CAN IT BE PLANTED IN A CONTAINER?: yes

DURING GROWTH: can slow production a bit during very hot times of the summer, will thrive in fall temps

WATCH FOR THESE PESTS/DISEASES: powdery mildew, especially if you water from above

TIME TO BLOOM: 42 to 56 days

DEADHEADING: will encourage more blooms

PLANT USES: may deter aphids from cole crops when planted near those plants, attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may have medicinal uses (anti-inflammatory, good for skin rashes), you can make tea from dried petals, and is useful as a dye plant

POLLINATOR FRIENDLY?: yes