Calendula Chronicles: The Golden Flower with Endless Possibilities

Guest post blog by Katrina & Clayton

Calendula commonly known as pot marigold, is a hardy, versatile flower that thrives in the Scottish climate. With its vibrant blooms and edible petals, calendula is not only an attractive addition to gardens but also a useful herb in the kitchen and for natural remedies.  

Growing Edible Flowers: Calendula in Scotland

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), is an easy to grow, cool weather plant, making it well suited to the unpredictable Scottish climate. It blooms from early summer until the first frosts and can tolerate light frosts, allowing for an extended growing season. Calendula is also relatively pest resistant, making it a low maintenance choice for gardeners.

Choose a sunny location: Calendula thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

Ensure well drained soil: Avoid waterlogged areas to prevent root rot.

Protect from harsh winds: While hardy, calendula benefits from some shelter in exposed areas.

Deadhead regularly: This encourages continuous blooming throughout the growing season

Edible Parts of Calendula

Calendula is valued for its edible flowers, which add both colour and mild, peppery flavour to dishes.

Calendula Petals: Add fresh or dried petals to salads, soups, and herbal teas.


Calendula petals are a versatile and vibrant addition to various culinary dishes. Whether fresh or dried, these petals bring a splash of colour and a subtle peppery, tangy flavour to your meals. 

Adding fresh calendula petals to salads not only enhances visual appeal but also contributes to a mild, earthy taste that complements leafy greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers. 

In soups, the petals provide a delicate floral note and can be used as a garnish or simmered to infuse the broth with their beneficial properties. 

Herbal teas made with calendula petals offer soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits, aiding in digestion and providing relief for sore throats. 

The petals are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and carotenoids, making them a nutritious addition to your diet. To use calendula petals effectively, ensure they are organically grown and free from pesticides. Dry the petals thoroughly for long-term storage and incorporate them into your favorite recipes to enjoy both their flavour and health benefits.

Calendula Infusions: Use dried petals to make calendula oil for culinary or medicinal use.

Calendula infusions are a simple and effective way to harness the plant’s culinary and medicinal qualities. One popular method involves using dried calendula petals to make calendula oil. This oil can be used in cooking for its mild floral essence or applied topically to soothe skin irritations, burns, and minor wounds. 

To prepare calendula oil, steep dried petals in a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil, for several weeks in a warm, sunny spot. The resulting infusion is rich in anti inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. 

Calendula oil can also be used as a base for homemade salves, lotions, and balms. Additionally, calendula infused teas provide digestive support and promote skin health from the inside out. 

For culinary use, drizzle calendula oil over salads or roasted vegetables for a fragrant finish. When crafting calendula infusions, always use high quality, pesticide free petals and store the finished oil in a cool, dark place to maintain its potency and freshness.

Calendula Garnishes: Decorate cakes, drinks, and other dishes with fresh petals.

Calendula petals make beautiful and edible garnishes for a wide array of dishes. Their bright yellow and orange hues add a cheerful touch to cakes, drinks, and savoury plates. When used as a cake garnish, fresh calendula petals create a striking contrast against frosted surfaces, making desserts visually stunning. 

In beverages, petals can float on top of cocktails, lemonades, and herbal teas, adding elegance and a hint of floral aroma. 

For savoury dishes, sprinkle fresh petals over risottos or grain bowls to elevate presentation. Beyond aesthetics, calendula petals offer subtle earthy and spicy undertones that complement both sweet and savoury flavours. 

For long lasting beauty, add fresh petals just before serving. Dried calendula petals can also be ground into a fine powder to dust over dishes for a unique decorative effect. 

Planting Calendula

The best time to plant calendula in Scotland is in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October). In colder regions, start seeds indoors in early spring and transplant after the last frost.

Seed Preparation: Soak seeds overnight to enhance germination.

Site Preparation: Choose a sunny, well drained spot and enrich the soil with compost.

Sowing Seeds: Sow seeds directly in the ground at a depth of 1 cm, spacing them 15-30 cm apart.

Watering: Water gently to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Germination: Expect seedlings to emerge in 7-14 days.

Calendula grows well in pots. Use a container with drainage holes and a light, nutrient rich potting mix. This allows for flexibility in moving plants to sunny spots.

Caring for Calendula

Calendula is relatively low maintenance but benefits from basic care to thrive in Scotland.

Watering

Calendula prefers consistent moisture but does not tolerate soggy conditions. Water deeply once a week during dry periods.

Mulching

Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and protect roots from temperature fluctuations. Caledonian Green Goodness works as a great mulch.

Pest and Disease Management

Calendula is resistant to most pests but can occasionally suffer from:

Aphids: Use insecticidal soap or introduce ladybirds as natural predators.

Powdery Mildew: Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues.

Companion Planting with Calendula

Calendula is a beneficial companion plant that attracts pollinators and repels pests.

Best Companion Plants

Vegetables: Tomatoes, beans, and carrots benefit from calendula’s pest repelling properties.

Herbs: Basil and thyme pair well with calendula for mutual protection.

Flowers: Plant calendula with marigolds and nasturtiums to enhance pest control and aesthetics.

Plants to Avoid

Calendula is generally compatible with most plants, but avoid overcrowding to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Calendula is a versatile and hardy flower that adapts well to Scotland’s climate. Whether used for culinary, medicinal, or ornamental purposes, calendula is a valuable addition to any garden and is a great companion plant for all in your garden. 

Katrina & Clayton

Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.

Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.

They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine.  Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.

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