Bon Bon Yellow

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Marigold

Species

officinalis

Description

An annual or biennial ornamental herb, with a compact growth habit and bushy form. Easy to grow, it is prized for its excellent, staggered flowering, producing a profusion of blooms that add touches of warm, bright colours to terraces or balconies, in pots and planters, as well as in flowerbeds and borders where it creates dense ground cover; it is also suitable for use in mixed plantings with other ornamental plants, as well as for intercropping with vegetable crops.

Varietal description

Very distinctive plant with beautiful bright green foliage. Very striking yellow colour. It has edible flowers.

curiosity and special features

The generic name, Calendula, derives from ‘calendae’ – that is, the first day of the month in the Roman calendar – in reference to its long flowering period, whilst the term ‘officinalis’ refers to the plant’s medicinal use. Its flowers also tend to open during the day and close at sunset; for this reason, in ancient times it was known as solsequium, meaning ‘that which follows the sun’.

Calendula is also used as an additive in shampoo to naturally lighten hair; furthermore, a yellow dye can be extracted from the flowers for use on silk and wool.

Origin and Diffusion

Like other species of calendula, it is derived from the speciesC. arvensis, which is native to the Mediterranean basin and was already being cultivated in the 13th century in the gardens of English noblemen’s residences, before spreading throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, both as an ornamental plant and for medicinal and therapeutic use. The wild variety grows spontaneously in certain hilly areas of Italy up to an altitude of 600 metres, provided the exposure is favourable.

Flower size

The flower is of average size when compared with other varieties of the same species.

Leaf

The leaf has alanceolate blade.

Flowering period

The flowering period lasts from mid-winter to mid-summer for between 60 and 90 days – a broad timeframe that allows us to enjoy its flowers in flowerbeds and pots for a long time, even when combined with other flowering plants that can be rotated throughout the year.

Leaf color

Plain colours.

Plant height

The plant grows to a height of between 0.2 and 0.3 metres, making it ideal for creating arrangements with other ornamental plants of varying heights to create a sense of perspective.

Lifespan

Biennial plant.

Suggested planting locations

Its persistent and continuous flowering makes it ideal for decorating outdoor spaces such as flowerbeds, balconies, borders, window boxes and outdoor planters, even in full sun

Stem/stem

It has a herbaceous stem and the plant has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is pom-pom-shaped, medium-sized, with a rounded corolla and solid-coloured petals. It flowers from mid-winter to mid-summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days.

Growth

It shows compact growth, ideal for dense, colourful compositions.

Plant habit

A characteristic bushy habit that gives a pleasant decorative appearance, with the presence of colourful patches of flowers within a dense, rich vegetation.

branching

It develops medium branching with a high density of flowers.

pH

The optimum pH of the soil or growing medium is slightly acidic, with values ranging from 5.5 to 6.5.

soil preparation

When transplanting into a flowerbed, lightly dig over the soil, removing any weeds and large stones, then break up the larger clods using a spade to make the soil looser. Finally, add professional-grade compost to the surface to a depth of 5–10 cm and level it carefully.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

sun exposure

A position in full sun will ensure a profuse bloom in bright colours.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature ranges from 5 to 30 °C. The ideal temperature is between 8 and 20 °C; it is therefore well suited to temperate climates.

Use

Because of its vibrant flowers, which bloom for much of the year, it is widely used as a plant for
outdoor ornamental setting

Hardiness

Moderately hardy; it adapts to soil and climate conditions that are not always ideal for other ornamental plants.

Soil/medium

The ideal soil for calendula to thrive is peaty, enriched and well-drained; for growing in pots and planters, we recommend a growing medium for spring-flowering plants made from fibrous peat and perlite.

Maintenance

Easy to grow and maintain, the level of management effort is low, a feature that adds value to the plant.

cultivation tips

To achieve the best results in terms of vigour and flowering, whether in a flowerbed or a pot, please follow these cultivation tips:
Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Keep the growing medium consistently moist It can be planted in sunny or partially shaded flowerbeds.

Intercropping/combination

With its bright flowers and beneficial properties, marigold is often used to great effect when intercropped with vegetable crops. Companion planting is a method of maintaining a natural balance within our garden spaces by growing mutually beneficial plants together, as certain combinations can encourage pollination by attracting insects such as bees and butterflies, prevent fungal or bacterial diseases, keep pest populations low, and attract beneficial insects such as ladybirds – excellent aphid predators – thereby creating a more resilient ecosystem. Specifically, we recommend planting marigolds alongside carrots, cucumbers, sweetcorn, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins and courgettes.

Composition

Ideal forcreating arrangements in elegant and vibrant colour schemes alongside other ornamental species with varying heights and floral colour tones, such as Antirrhinum majus, Lavandula officinalis and Lavandula stoechas.

planting

In flowerbeds, an average planting density of 10 plants per square metre is recommended to allow each individual plant to grow to its full potential, thereby creating uniform and well-proportioned arrangements.

Reproduction/Propagation

Medium sowing.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water with an optimal sub-acidic pH, either manually or via an irrigation system. When transplanting, help the seedling settle into its new location by giving it a thorough watering initially, followed by regular watering to prevent the soil from drying out; thereafter, take care to keep the soil or growing medium consistently moist, whilst avoiding waterlogging, which causes root rot. It is advisable not to water the plant from above whilst the flowers are open, particularly in the late afternoon or evening, to prevent the development of mould or rot.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilization

Once the plant has settled properly in its new location, apply a balanced fertiliser specifically formulated for flowering plants to the soil or growing medium; this should contain the macro- and micro-nutrients necessary for the plant’s healthy growth, whether in a border or in a pot. Apply the fertiliser regularly, but take care not to use too much.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet friendly

No cases of toxicity following ingestion by pets are known; assess each case individually.

Edibility for humans

The flowers of some varieties are edible; with a slightly peppery flavour, they add colour to salads and other dishes; the dried petals can be used as a seasoning, as a substitute for saffron, and to make tea. Not all varieties are edible.

Human toxicity

Toxicity is unknown. Consider the variety before ingestion.

advise 1

Remove any wilted flowers to prevent them from causing the plant to rot. It is an ideal plant for growing alongside vegetable plants.