did you know?

The Romans gave calendula its name, observing that the flowers bloomed on the first day, or of every month. According to the Doctrine of Signatures, an early healing theory which argued that a plant's appearance determined what organ it could heal, calendula's yellow flower color made it an effective remedy for jaundice.

general maintenance:

To encourage continuous bloom, deadhead spent flowers. Remove entire plants in fall after hard frost.

pests/diseases:

Aphids, whiteflies, snails, slugs, powdery mildew, and leaf spot may occur.

controls:

Regularly hose off aphids with a directed stream of water, or apply insecticidal soap, following label directions. Handpick slugs and snails from foliage, or spread diatomaceous earth around plants. To discourage powdery mildew and leaf spot, space plants for adequate air circulation and avoid wetting leaves when watering. Pick off diseased leaves where practical, and remove and destroy severely infected plants.

how to sow/plant:

Plant in spring after last frost, when soil is 60 degrees. Choose a sunny, well-drained site, and amend soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Direct sow 1/4 inch deep. When true leaves appear, thin to 1 foot apart. Seeds are viable for only 1 year. Keep soil moist until germination.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil moisture all season. Feed biweekly with a balanced soluble fertilizer, following label directions.

garden hint:

Because they are brightly colored, have large seeds, and are easy to grow, calendulas are perfect for children's gardens. They are best grown in areas with mild summers or elsewhere as cool-season annuals.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Fragrant
• Frost Tolerant

garden uses:

• Containers
• Flowerbed borders

other uses:

• Culinary/Edible (garnish salads with flowers)
• Cut Flower
• Dye (grind dried flowers to make a yellow dye for wool)
• Everlasting (>)

combine with:

other plants used for dyes, such as golden Marguerite goldenrod lady's bedstraw safflower and woad