Calendula officinalis 'Nana Oopsy Daisy', also known as English marigold or medicinal marigold, is a mixture of annuals with very bright shades. Its bicolour flowers display shades of cream, butter, golden yellow, and bright orange that perfectly reflect the sun. Its flowering starts in May and regularly extends until the first frost. It attracts many insects to the garden. Its beautiful blooms brighten beds and bring brilliance to bouquets. It is easy to grow, making it ideal for novice gardeners. It rewards those who let the garden flourish without regular intervention.

Listed in gardens since the 12th century, Calendula officinalis has virtues that are used in many fields. It is primarily a dye plant, used as a pigment. It is also used in cosmetics, pharmacology, and homeopathy for its soothing, astringent, healing, anti-inflammatory, and hepatic properties, among others. Its nickname of false saffron comes from its culinary use. Marigolds can replace saffron by colouring rice-based dishes, stews, soups, and herbal teas. Use it raw to flavour cheeses, salads, and butter. Furthermore, it has long been established in the vegetable garden as an ally of other edibles, as it repels nematodes and attracts numerous pollinating insects.

Its upright, slightly spreading habit is composed of brittle, branched stems that give it a rather bushy appearance. It naturally works well in flower beds and pots, whether isolated or in groups. However, protect it from strong winds. Its lanceolate leaves are velvety and aromatic when crushed. Their green colour forms a backdrop for the vibrant hues of its flowers. These are composed of long single petals, which are actually ligulate flowers, surrounding a small orange heart and ending in a darker tip. They beautifully animate the garden by opening and closing under the influence of the sun throughout summer. This period will be extended if you have a mild climate during autumn. In addition, marigold seeds spread easily in various ways: through the wind, falling to the ground, and clinging to clothing and animal fur with their barbs. They self-seed quite spontaneously, as their germination is not hindered by the cold. Calendula is content with all types of soil, as long as it is in the sun for a good part of the day.

With its daisy-like appearance and beautiful golden petals, it will warm up flower boxes and pots around the house. It easily weaves itself among other annuals and brightens up its paler neighbours. It can also be used to border pathways, if positioned like a ribbon at the front of flower beds.