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Calendula officinalis is often confused with:
Zinnia elegans Zinnia elegans
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Coreopsis gladiata Sickle tickseed found in Pender County, NC.
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Zinnia angustifolia Flower close up

Calendula officinalis

Phonetic Spelling
ka-LEN-dew-luh oh-fish-ih-NAH-liss
Description

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.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Vegetable No-Till Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#full sun tolerant#edible plant#fall interest#summer flowers#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#stormwater demo garden orange co#annual#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#full sun tolerant#edible plant#fall interest#summer flowers#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#stormwater demo garden orange co#annual#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Calendula
    Species:
    officinalis
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Use medicinally for stomach problems, muscle spasms, and other issues. Flowers can be used to make a beautiful yellow dye.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies and pollinators
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    rabbit
    Edibility:
    Flower petals give color to soups, custards, and rice; also used in cookies, vinegars.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Herb
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds ripe from August to November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Single to double flowerheads (3-4” diameter) may have contrasting darker center disks. Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional bloom.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Aromatic, lance-shaped to oblong-obovate green leaves (to 6” long).
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    sparsely branched lax or erect stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Rabbits