The International Herb Association has named calendula its 2008 Herb of the Year. Calendula is also known as pot marigold, but it isn’t the marigold you think of when you go to buy bedding plants. “Pot marigold” doesn’t come from the fact that it is grown in pots, although it is an excellent container plant, but rather from its common use in the cooking pot.
The Romans first named this golden plant when they observed that it was in bloom on the first day of every month, or calends. It is an annual plant that in Wisconsin will bloom by mid-June, and blooms continuously even well after fall frosts.
Deadheading, or cutting off spent flowers, keeps it looking nice and encourages even more bloom. If not deadheaded, the flowers form seeds that look like little boats. To save seeds, cut the seedheads when they turn brown and store them over winter in a paper bag in a dry place. If you want calendula in the same spot next year, skip the deadheading. You will never have to plant calendula again.
Calendula grows best in full sun in average, well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought tolerant and the plants that self-seed need no supplemental watering even in the driest years.
Calendula’s flowers range in color from pale yellow to deep carrot orange and are 1½-4 inches across, looking something like zinnia flowers. They close at night, but each flower opens again in the morning and lasts a week or more. But never fear, when a flower is spent, there are many more on the same plant waiting to take its place in the sun. The plants are compact, growing from 12-18 inches tall depending on the conditions.
The flowers are easy to dry for use in potpourri or other crafts and retain their bright color. Cut them off just below the flowerhead and lay them face down on newspaper. Turn them over after a few days and in a week or so they will be dried. A faster alternative is to remove the petals individually and dry them on paper. It is important that they are completely dry before storing and that they are stored where moisture cannot reach them or they will get moldy. A glass jar works well.
Calendula wasn’t named Herb of the Year for its looks alone. It has medicinal uses in that it is very soothing to the skin. It is anti-inflammatory, astringent and anti-microbial and is used to help heal cuts, scrapes, rashes, bee stings, burns and bruises.
The flowers and leaves are edible and are added to salads, soups, stews, and poultry and baked into bread and cookies to add a bright color. The dried flowers can be ground into a powder and used as a substitute for saffron.
Calendula’s petals also have use in making a yellow dye for cotton, wool or silk.
As for cosmetic use, a calendula rinse brings out highlights in brunette and blond hair. Make a strong tea of the petals and pour over hair.
With all these attributes, calendula certainly deserves its Herb of the Year designation.
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