Annuals & Biennials

Calendula
pot marigold

Height 1-2 ft (30-60 cm)
Planting distance 12-15 in (30-38 cm)
Flowers late spring to first frost]
Any well-drained garden soil
Sunny site
Hardy annual

The pot marigold is one of the easiest hardy annuals to grow and, with its glowing orange or yellow daisylike flowers, one of the brightest. The flowers and light green lance-shaped leaves were formerly used in cooking, hence the name "pot marigold." Most cultivars will grow 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm) tall, though several 1 ft (30 cm) high dwarf cultivars are also available. Pot marigolds will grow well in borders even if the soil is poor. The long-stemmed cultivars make good cut flowers and last well in water.

Popular species and cultivars
All garden cultivars are developed from Calendul officinalis, which grows 2 ft (60 cm) high and bears a profusion of single daisy flowers, up to 4 in (10 cm) wide, in shades of bright orange or yellow.
Dwarf cultivars
'Apricot Bon Bon,' grows 12-15 in (30-38 cm) high and bears double, warm apricot flowers.
'Double Lemon Coronet' has large grapefruit-yellow flowers on 1 ft (30 cm) high plants.
'Dwarf Gem Hybrids' produce 3 in (7.5 cm) wide double flowers in shades from apricot to lemon yellow on 1 ft (30 cm) tall plants.
'Fiesta Gitana Hybrids' come in mixed colors - oranges, yellows, and creams. They grow 1 ft (30 cm) high and wide and bear masses of double flowers with dark centers.
Tall cultivars
'Art Shades' is a mixture, 2 ft (60 cm) tall, that comes in apricots, orange, pale yellows, and creams. The flowers are large and graceful.
'Indian Prince' has semidouble, dark orange flowers with mahogany-brown centers. It grows 18-20 in (45-50 cm) tall.
'Kablouna Gold,' 20 in (50 cm) tall, has bright yellow flowers with chocolate-brown centers.
'Kablouna Stormy Sunset' bears 31/2 in (9 cm) wide crested double flowers with contrasting brown centers.
'Lemon Queen' has double, clear lemon-yellow flowers on 2 ft (60 cm) high plants.
'Pacific Apricot' 2 ft (60 cm) high, has large double, soft apricot flowers with dark brown centers and orange tips to the petals.
'Pacific Beauty' is a mixture, 2 ft (60 cm) or more tall, with double orange, apricot, yellow, and primrose flowers on long stems. Some are bicolored.
'Pacific Cream Beauty' has cream-yellow flowers with dark brown centers.
'Pacific Lemon Beauty' has lemon-yellow blooms with dark brown centers.
'Radio Extra Selected,' 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm) tall, has orange blooms similar to cactus dahlias. It is excellent for cutting.

Annuals
and
Biennials