Calendula officinalis

Calendula officinalis, or Marigolds, are a popular annual with colorful flowers that are easy to grow in average, moderately fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Marigolds also do well with some shade during hot summers, but become leggy in too much shade.

To cultivate Marigolds, you can start seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and plant the seedlings or purchased starter plants directly in the garden just after the last frost date. If you are sowing seeds directly in the ground, sow them just before the last front date. As the plants mature, you can pinch them back to encourage compact bushy growth and deadhead spent flowers to promote additional bloom. Marigolds do not do well in hot summer weather or times of drought, but can be cut back to rejuvenate in the fall. They also reseed in the garden. 

Flowers are edible and have a slightly bitter, tangy, peppery flavor They add color to salads and other dishes. Marigolds attract butterflies and are useful as cut flowers. The flowers make a beautiful yellow dye.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

Susceptible to powdery mildew. Watch for slugs and snails, particularly on young plants, aphids and whiteflies. Cucumber mosaic disease and powdery mildew can cause problems with this plant.