Calendula

CALENDULA (kah-len’-deu-lah) - This genus of the Daisy Family includes several species of herbaceous annuals and perennials, but to gardeners the name means the old favorite, Calendula officinole, called by Shakespeare “Marygold,” and now known as Pot marigold. This is one of the easiest of annuals to grow. Although of tropical origin and therefore happy in the heat, it will flourish almost anywhere and bloom satisfactorily even in cool areas. In the S. it blooms practically throughout the year ; in the North from May to frost. Its yellow or orange heads of ray and disk flowers in both single and double varieties are borne on plants 1 to 2 ft. high. It does well under any average soil conditions and in either full sun or semi-shade. The flowers close at night.

Valuable for cutting, the calendula may also be used for pot culture, the smaller plants being cut back in fall and potted up; they will bear flowers indoors for several weeks. Easily started from seed sown in the spring indoors or outdoors, the plants should be thinned to about 9 in. A second sowing in June will be of advantage to the gardener who wants garden color when many other plants have faded.

Under crowded conditions in greenhouse beds plants may be affected near the ground with a soft stem rot. Stripping the lower leaves helps to control the trouble, which soil sterilization will prevent. Mosaic and yellows may also occur. Aphids, especially troublesome in the garden, are controlled with any contact insecticide applied regularly - Neem Oil works well.

The name Calendula comes from the Latin calendae, meaning the first day of the month, for it was formerly supposed that some species bloomed every month of the year. In our forefather’s time, the Pot marigold, was highly regarded not only for its medicinal qualities, but also as a flavoring for soups and stews.

Other species of calendula are: Calendula eriocarpa, branching with yellow heads 1 in. across ; Calendula stellata, 1 ft. with rough foliage and yellow heads 1 in. across ; Calendula suffruticosa, 1 ft., woody at base, with woolly, toothed leaves and profuse, bright yellow heads 1 to 2 in. across ; Calendula maderensis, 2 ft. with rough leaves and yellow flowers ; this last is a perennial.

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