Calendula officinalis Pacific Beauty Apricot seeds - Marigold

The 'Pacific Beauty Apricot' Marigold is a Calendula officinalis that forms a medium-sized and uniform plant, and offers beautiful double flowers, with a unique pastel tone, a soft melon orange colour. Very floriferous, robust, and wind-resistant, it fits well in borders and sunny containers, bringing life to them for weeks. Sown in March-April, this fast-growing annual is easy to cultivate in ordinary soil and 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 Apricot' is a recent variety. The annual plant forms a clump 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 highly aromatic when crushed. Their bright green colour provides a beautiful backdrop for its gentle flowers with a dark orange centre. Its flowering starts in June and regularly extends until the end of summer, attracting numerous pollinating insects. Each head measures approximately 6 cm in diameter. It consists 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 easily spread in various ways: by the wind, falling to the ground, but also by attaching to clothes and animal fur, as these small crescents are barbed. They self-sow easily, as their germination is not hindered by the cold. The seedlings can thrive in all types of soil, as long as they receive a good amount of sunlight during the day.

The 'Pacific Beauty Apricot' Calendula is reliable in the garden for quickly creating a flower border or filling a container on a sunny terrace. It is a perfect companion to colourful Dahlias and swaying ornamental grasses. Plants with foliage such as artemisias or silver stachys complement it, as well as flowering plants for well-drained soil such as salvias, roses, or annual nigellas 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, Calendula officinalis has virtues that are exploited in many fields. It is first and foremost a dye plant 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. Marigold can replace this spice by colouring rice-based dishes, as well as stews, soups, and herbal teas. When raw, it adds fragrance to cheeses, salads, and even butter. Moreover, it has long been established in vegetable gardens as an ally to other edible plants, as it repels nematodes and attracts numerous pollinating insects.