Pacific Beauty
Asteraceae
Calendula
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AI-generated botanical watercolor illustration of Calendula.
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Calendula has been cultivated since ancient times — it was used by Greeks, Romans, and throughout the Middle Ages for culinary, medicinal, and dye purposes. The name "pot marigold" refers to its use in cooking pots. It should not be confused with Tagetes marigolds.
Calendula (pot marigold) is one of the most useful flowers for the PNW garden. It blooms in cool weather when little else does — March through June, then again September through November. Pacific Beauty is a mix of cream, yellow, orange, and apricot shades. Calendula is a powerful companion plant — it attracts hoverflies and ladybugs, repels some pests, and its roots improve soil. Every garden should have calendula.
Direct sow in early spring (March-April) or fall (September for overwintering). Calendula germinates in cool soil and blooms best in cool weather. Sow 1/4" deep, 4 seeds per sq ft. Thin to 8-12" apart. Deadhead religiously — calendula stops blooming if allowed to go to seed. Flowers are edible and medicinal (used in salves for skin healing). Petals can be dried for winter use. Calendula will bloom through mild PNW winters. In hot summers, it may pause and resume in fall. Let a few flowers go to seed; it self-sows reliably.