Calendula
These have to be one of the most cheerful flowers to grow. Very easy too… everyone can grow calendula! But being easy to grow doesn’t make them any less special. These flowers brighten up borders and look fabulous in a veg patch. The bright petals are edible, medicinal, make a richly coloured dye and attract pollinators and other insects into the garden.
Calendula officinalis
Sow A late summer/autumn sowing will give you flowers slightly earlier in the year, but may need a little protection if the winter is hard.
Grow Calendula love full sun and good soil. Sow into borders and among vegetable plants. The flowers attract hoverflies which are predators of aphids.
Uses Calendula make good cut flowers, in a simple bunch with applemint, Briza maxima and dark purple cornflowers. The petals are edible and can be scattered over salads, used to decorate cakes of as a substitute for saffron (leading to them also being called ‘poor man’s saffron’). Calendula petals also make a moisturising and healing balm for the skin. Keep picking and deadheading to encourage more flowers.