Calendula officinalis Chrysantha - Garden Marigold seeds

The Calendula officinalis Chrysantha, also known as Marigold or Common Marigold, is an annual with a very sunny colour. Its flowering starts in early summer and regularly extends until the first frosts. The double petals of its blooms are lemon yellow with a hint of orange and slightly fringed at their tips. These unique tones energise flowerbeds, attract numerous insects, and brighten up bouquets. Easy to grow, the Common Marigold is ideal for beginners and rewards those who let the garden live its life without a constant presence.

Listed in gardens since the 12th century, the Common Marigold 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 calming, astringent, healing, anti-inflammatory, and hepatic properties, among others. Finally, its nickname False Saffron comes from its culinary use. Indeed, the Marigold can replaces this spice for colouring rice-based dishes as well as stews, soups, and herbal teas. It can furthermore be used in raw form to flavour cheese, salads, and even butter. In addition, it has long been established in vegetable gardens as an ally to other edibles as it repels nematodes and attracts numerous pollinating insects.

Its upright and slightly spreading habit is composed of robust branching stems that give it a fairly dense appearance. The Chrysantha variety is also quite tall (60 to 70 cm/2 to 2ft 4") which allows it to naturally find its place in flower beds as well as in pots (provided that they are of a reasonable size: at least 40 cm/1 ft 4" in diameter), whether isolated or in groups. Its lanceolate leaves are velvety and very fragrant when crushed. Their green colour contrasts with the vibrant yellow of the blooms. The density of the double petals, which are actually ligulate flowers, is such that they often partially cover their beautiful yellow-orange center. They provide volume throughout the summer with their flattened pompom-like appearance. This period will be extended if you have a mild climate during the autumn. Moreover, Marigold seeds spread easily in various ways: through the wind, by falling on the ground, but also by clinging to clothing and animal fur, as these small crescents are barbed. They will therefore self-sow quite spontaneously, as their germination will not be hindered by the cold and they tolerate all types of soil as long as they are in the sun for a good part of the day.

This variety has been known since the 1930s and owes its name to chrysanthema. Indeed, its long petals that slightly droop around the edges remind us of their appearance. Thanks to its size, it will stand out in flower beds among other summer flowers in a multicoloured ensemble, but it will also harmoniously contrast with complementary colours, such as delphinia and aconite.