Calendula

Bloom time: Spring to first frost. Winter blooming is possible in Zones 8-10 from August sowing.

The image to the right shows a family home near Salem, Oregon, where Calendula 'Pacific Beauty' mix is grown for the seed market. Many families in the area have been growing flower seeds for generations, and the countryside is spectacular in summer.

Calendula is a genus of annual and perennial herbaceous flowers native to the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East. Calendula are wonderfully versatile and a very easy flower to grow. Although they do best in well-drained and sunny spots, they germinate in partial shade and bloom quickly in two months. These bright flowers range from deep orange to pastel yellow so the edible petals make a gorgeous addition to salads. Feed these petals to chickens to produce dark-coloured yolks. (Family: Sunflower, Asteraceae)