Calendula officinalis Pacific Beauty Mix seeds - Calendula officinalis Pacific Beauty Cream - Marigold

Calendula officinalis 'Pacific Beauty Mix' is a Marigold that forms a medium-sized and uniform plant, and offers beautiful double and semi-double flowers in a mix of colours, with a brown centre. The flowers come in shades of orange, apricot, yellow, peach, and cream, and can reach up to 10 cm in diameter. Very floriferous, robust, and wind-resistant, it fits perfectly in borders and sunny containers and brightens them up for weeks. Sown in March-April, this annual plant, which grows quickly and is easy to cultivate in ordinary soil, blooms approximately 10 weeks later.

Calendula officinalis belongs to the asteraceae family, and has the characteristic inflorescence in the shape of a daisy. 'Pacific Beauty Mix' is a recent variety. The annual plant forms a clump of strong 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 highly aromatic when crushed. Their bright green colour provides a beautiful background for its soft flowers with a dark orange centre. Its flowering starts in June and continues regularly until the end of summer, attracting many pollinating insects. Each head can measure up to 10 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. Marigold seeds can spread easily in various ways: by the wind, by falling on the ground, but also by sticking to clothing and animal fur, as these small crescents have hooks. They self-seed easily, as their germination is not hindered by the cold. The seedlings can grow in all types of soil, as long as they are in the sun for a good part of the day.

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

Listed in gardens since the 12th century, the Marigold is used in many fields. 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. Finally, its nickname False Saffron comes from its culinary use. The Marigold is a great substitute for this spice, colouring rice-based dishes, as well as stews, soups, and herbal teas. When raw, it adds flavour to cheeses, salads, and even butter. It has long been established in vegetable gardens as an ally to other edible plants, as it repels nematodes and attracts many pollinating insects.