English Marigold Plants

Description

• English marigold (Calendula officinalis) is native to the area of southern Europe that surrounds the Mediterranean Sea. The plant grows 1 to 2 feet high and wide, and has bright green, 4-inch-long, aromatic leaves. English marigold flowers are 2 to 3 inches in diameter and come in single and double forms. The blooms open in the morning and close at night.

Varieties

• Many English marigold varieties exist. Indian Prince has dark orange flowers with a burgundy center, while the dwarf variety Bon Bon Orange has orange-yellow blooms and grows just 1 foot high. Other widely available dwarf strains include Dwarf Gem and Fiesta. Kablouna is taller, growing up to 2 feet with bright yellow flowers and dark orange centers.

Uses

• With their bright, eye-catching blooms, English marigolds make an effective addition to informal landscapes such as cottage-style gardens. They grow well in beds, borders and containers, and they are long-lasting cut flowers.

  English marigold serve a wide variety of medicinal and culinary purposes. Essential oils derived from the flowers are an ingredient in creams and lotions designed to soothe chapped skin and aching muscles. Ointments made from the plant have proven to speed the healing of wounds and burns. The bright blossoms are also used as a saffron substitute to color foods such as broth and rice.

Growing Requirements

• English marigolds require a full-sun-to-partial-shade location and well-draining soil. Water when the top inch of soil has dried, and feed the plants with a high-potassium fertilizer on a monthly basis throughout the growing season. Deadheading English marigolds when blooms fade keeps plants blooming and prevents them from going to seed and dying back.

Pests and Diseases

• Calendula falls victim to several pests, including aphids, thrips and whiteflies. Control these invaders by spraying the plants with a strong stream of water or applying the appropriate pesticide.

  Diseases affecting English marigolds include fungal infections such as powdery mildew, Calendula smut, which causes brown spots, and Alternaria leaf spot, which leads to purple lesions. Apply fungicides to control these conditions and prevent their spread by keeping the flower bed clear of fallen foliage and flowers. Aster yellows is a serious disease characterized by plant stunting, yellow-green foliage and flowers, and plant death. Immediately remove and dispose of English marigolds infected with this condition, as there is no cure and the disease spreads rapidly.