Calendula officinalis Pacific Beauty Lemon Seeds - Marigold

The 'Pacific Beauty Lemon' Marigold is an Calendula officinalis from the excellent "Beauty Colours" series. It produces large double and semi-double flowers in lemon yellow with a small brown centre, on long stems. The plant forms a medium-sized, well-structured clump. It brings life to borders and containers for weeks in the summer and is as floriferous as it is robust. Sown in March-April, this annual with rapid growth flowers about 10 weeks later.

The Calendula officinalis belongs to the Asteraceae family, which has the characteristic inflorescence in the shape of a daisy called a head. 'Pacific Beauty Lemon' is a recent variety. The 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 color provides a beautiful backdrop for its sunny flowers. Its flowering starts in June and continues regularly until the end of summer, attracting many pollinating insects. Each head measures about 6 cm in diameter. It is composed of a centre of fertile florets surrounded by many long "petals" which are actually ligulate flowers arranged in a crown. This crown opens in the sun and closes at night or in cloudy weather. The seeds of the Marigold spread easily in various ways: by the wind, by falling to the ground, but also by sticking to clothing and animal fur, as these little crescents have bristles. They self-sow easily because their germination is not hindered by the cold. The seedlings are content with all types of soil, as long as they are in the sun for a good part of the day.

The 'Pacific Beauty Lemon' Marigold is useful for quickly creating a colourful border or filling a container on a sunny terrace. It is a perfect companion for colourful Dahlias and ornamental grasses. Foliage plants like artemisias or Silver Stachys, tansies, complement it, as do well-drained flowering plants such as salvias, roses, or annual love-in-a-mist in a perfect orange and blue duo. The Marigold is also an edible flower, to be enjoyed in moderation, which can be used in salads, soups, or desserts. Some say its flavour resembles that of pepper.

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