~Robert
Graves (1895–1985). Fairies and
Fusiliers: 1918.
Pot marigolds or calendulas were
a sacred flower of ancient India and were called "herb of the sun." They
have very pungent leaves and flowers and were used by the Egyptians as a substitute
for saffron.
The leaves and flowers were used in
salads by the Romans who acquired them from the Greeks .They were also used as a
seasoning for meats and medicine.
The Romans called the marigold "calendula"
because it bloomed in the calends, or first days of every month of the year. The
Christians, who adorned statues of the Virgin with golden calendulas on holy days,
called them "Mary's gold," thus the name marigold.
Marigolds spread to England and were
used by Saxons in lieu of pepper. They were grown in monastery gardens and so the
plant acquired the name Calendula officinalis, meaning it was sanctioned
by the office of the monastery's pharmacopoeia.
In the early 1500's, the Portuguese
discovered great golden headed flowers in Brazil which reminded them of the pot
marigolds. They were considered a sacred flower of the Aztecs. They called these
flowers marigolds and introduced them to Europe and India.
American marigolds supplanted calendulas
as a sacred flower of the Hindus. These two types of marigolds are not biologically
close.
Dwarf red-and-yellow marigolds were
imported from Mexico and grown in the royal gardens of Paris by the end of the 16th
century. In England both types were found, and the tall and dwarf plants were distinguished
by the names "African marigold" and "French marigold". The tall ones were from South
America and the dwarfs were from Mexico!
In America, Puritans brought calendulas
to Massachusetts. They found their way into strict Puritan churches. They were prized
as seasoning broth, and preserved cheese and meat with an appealing color and
flavor. Some
old cookbooks and garden books give the advice:
An infusion of marigolds in wine "soothes a cold
stomache" and removes warts and moles.
"Bewitching nosegays worn in the bosem of a maiden
is a goodly deployment for the attraction of the male."
Marigolds require full sun and grow
best in a loose garden soil with plenty of organic matter or humus.
Prepare flower beds by adding 3" - 4"
of pine bark, peat moss, manure or leaf mold. On heavy clay, mixing 1" of sand will
be beneficial. Add a very light application of fertilizer - one pound of 8-8-8 or
10-10-10 per 100 square foot of bed space. For pots or planters use 1/3 soil, 1/3
peat moss or manure, 1/3 sand.
Flower Characteristics
-
Annual (must be replanted each year)
-
Bright colors - yellow, gold, multi yellow and red
-
Bloom all summer
-
Takes full sun and heat
Buying and Planting Tips
-
Cell packs of flowers sometimes root bound
-
Before planting, gently tear roots apart
-
If possible, buy plants that have not bloomed
-
If in flower, pinch off bloom to redirect plant's
energy to roots
-
It will establish itself quicker with healthy roots
-
In July, or Early August plant a few seeds amid plants
for bloom until frost
-
Caution: slugs and snails love to eat marigolds
Marigolds are a very prolific, easy to grow annual
flower. Flowers will bloom from midsummer all the way until frost. They can be used
for indoor arrangements, but give off a pungent odor that is sometimes too strong
indoors.
Marigolds are considered companion plants that keep
insects away. Many gardeners grow them amidst their vegetable crops
Insects largely avoid marigolds as they do not like
it's pungent odor. This is why they make good companion plants. You can even make
an insect repellent spray from these plants.
~Marigolds and Nasturtiums are commonly grown as
companion plants as they keep pests away. Try putting some of the leaves and stems
of both or either in your blender with a tiny bit of water.
Let them soak for a day, drain, add a spot more water to dilute and apply liberally
to your other plants in your garden.~
© 2002-2006 Arwynn MacFeylynnd
All rights reserved .
