Calendula officinalis Pacific Beauty Cream Seeds - Marigold

The 'Pacific Beauty Cream' Marigold is a Calendula officinalis that produces large double flowers in cream white that later turn a soft yellow, on long stems. The plant forms a medium-sized and uniform clump. It brings life to borders and containers for weeks in summer and is very floriferous and robust. Sown in March-April, this annual with rapid growth is easy to cultivate in ordinary soil and blooms about 10 weeks later.

Calendula officinalis belongs to the asteraceae family, of which it has the characteristic inflorescence in the shape of a daisy. 'Pacific Beauty Cream' is a recent variety. The annual plant forms a clump composed of sturdy and branched stems in a few months, giving it a compact appearance. It reaches a height of 60 cm and a width of 40 cm. Its lanceolate leaves are velvety and very aromatic when crushed. Their bright green colour provides a beautiful setting for its soft flowers with a dark orange centre. Flowering starts in June and continues regularly until late summer, attracting many pollinating insects. Each head measures about 6 cm in diameter. It is composed of a centre of fertile florets surrounded by numerous long "petals" which are actually ligulate flowers gathered in a crown. This crown opens in the sun and closes at night or in cloudy weather. The seeds of the Marigold spread easily in different ways: by the action of the wind, by falling to the ground, but also by attaching to clothing and animal fur, as these small crescents are hooked. They self-sow easily, as their germination is not hindered by cold temperatures. Seedlings are content with all types of soil, as long as they are in the sun for a good part of the day.

The 'Pacific Beauty Cream' Calendula is a reliable choice in the garden for quickly creating a flowery border or filling a container on a sunny terrace. It is a perfect companion for colourful Dahlias and ornamental grasses with moving foliage. Foliage plants like artemisias or silver stachys complement it, as do flowers with well-drained soil such as salvias, roses, or annual love-in-a-mist in a perfect orange and blue duo. Calendula is also an edible flower, to be enjoyed in moderation, which can be used in salads, soups, or desserts. Some say that its flavour is peppery.

Listed in gardens since the 12th century, the Pot Marigold has many uses. It is first and foremost a dye plant used as a pigment. But it is also used in cosmetics, pharmacology, and homoeopathy for its soothing, astringent, healing, anti-inflammatory, and hepatic properties, among others. Lastly, its nickname of False Saffron comes from its culinary use. The Marigold can replace this spice by colouring rice dishes, as well as stews, soups, and herbal teas. When raw, it flavours cheeses, salads, and even butter. Furthermore, it has long been established in vegetable gardens as an ally of other edible plants, as it repels nematodes and attracts many pollinating insects.