General Description/History

Calendula is a member of the daisy or aster family, and are known for their bright orange coloured flowers. They are very popular garden plants and have a long history as an herbal remedy.

As a cut flower they are commonly grown in the field. It is most commonly grown in the hills east of Melbourne and west of Sydney.

What to look for

• Flowers should be open or half-open and brightly coloured;
• Avoid wilted bunches;
• Avoid bunches with wilted or yellow leaves.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool whenever possible.
2. Break bunches apart.
3. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem and wash stem ends thoroughly.
4. Recut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in cold water immediately.
5. A preservative is essential.
6. Replace vase water every day as they are thirsty flowers.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

The ointment of this herb is thought to cure a range of skin problems from burns to acne.

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

Common Names: Marigold

Stem Length: 30 to 60 cm

Country of Origin: Mexico, Central America, Mediterranean

Available Colours: Orange, Yellow

Season: Winter

Availability: June,July,August