Calendula officinalis Pacific Beauty Flame - Marigold

The 'Pacific Beauty Flame' Marigold is a Calendula officinalis with powerful colour. Its large double and semi-double flowers are a shade between dark orange and flame red. Carried by long stems, they are centred around a small brown heart. The plant forms a medium-sized, uniform clump. It brings life to borders and containers for weeks in summer and shows itself to be very floriferous and robust. Sown in March-April, this fast-growing annual is easy to grow in ordinary soil, and blooms about 10 weeks later.

Calendula officinalis belongs to the asteraceae family, of which it has the characteristic inflorescence in the form of a daisy. 'Pacific Beauty Flame' is a recent variety. The annual plant forms a clump of solid and branched stems in a few months, giving it a compact appearance. It reaches a height of 60 cm and a width of 40 cm. Its lanceolate leaves are velvety and very aromatic when crushed. Their bright green colour provides a beautiful setting for its soft flowers with a dark orange centre. Its flowering starts in June and regularly extends until late summer, attracting many pollinating insects. Each head measures about 6 cm in diameter. It is composed of a centre of fertile florets surrounded by numerous long "petals" which are actually ligulate flowers gathered in a crown. This crown opens in the sun and closes at night or in cloudy weather. The seeds of the Marigold are easily spread in various ways: by the wind, falling to the ground, but also clinging to clothing and animal fur, as these small crescents are barbed. They self-sow easily, as their germination is not hindered by cold temperatures. The seedlings are happy with all types of soil, as long as they are in the sun for a good part of the day.

The 'Pacific Beauty Flame' Marigold is a reliable choice in the garden to quickly create a flowery border or fill a container on a sunny terrace. It is a perfect companion for colourful Dahlias and ornamental grasses with moving foliage. Foliage plants such as wormwood or silver stachys complement it, as do flowering plants for well-drained soil such as salvias, roses, or annual nigellas in a perfect orange and blue duo. Marigold is also an edible flower, to be enjoyed in moderation, which can be used in salads, soups, or desserts. Some say its flavour is peppery.

Listed in gardens since the 12th century, the Common Marigold has virtues used in many fields. It is first and foremost a dye plant used as a pigment. But it is also used in cosmetics, pharmacology, and homoeopathy for its soothing, astringent, healing, anti-inflammatory, and hepatic properties, among others. Finally, its nickname of False Saffron comes from its culinary use. Marigold is a great substitute for this spice by colouring rice-based dishes, as well as stews, soups, and herbal teas. When raw, it flavours cheeses, salads, and even butter. Moreover, it has long been established in vegetable gardens as an ally to other edible plants, as it repels nematodes and attracts many pollinating insects.