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Calendula officinalis ‘Orange Porcupine’ (Pot Marigold)

Pot Marigold 'Orange Porcupine', English Marigold 'Orange Porcupine', Poet's Marigold 'Orange Porcupine', Scotch Marigold 'Orange Porcupine'

Calendula  officinalis 'Orange Porcupine', Pot Marigold Orange Porcupine, English Marigold Orange Porcupine, Orange Calendula, Orange Pot Marigold, Orange Marigold
Calendula  officinalis 'Orange Porcupine', Pot Marigold Orange Porcupine, English Marigold Orange Porcupine, Orange Calendula, Orange Pot Marigold, Orange Marigold
Calendula  officinalis 'Orange Porcupine', Pot Marigold Orange Porcupine, English Marigold Orange Porcupine, Orange Calendula, Orange Pot Marigold, Orange Marigold

Noted for its distinctive flowers, Calendula officinalis ‘Orange Porcupine’ (Pot Marigold) is a striking hardy annual with aromatic, dark green foliage and brilliant orange spiky flowers with quilled petals. Blooming from late spring until the first frost, Pot Marigold is easy to grow and maintain. It has a wide range of uses and every garden should have Calendula in it.

  • Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm). Pot Marigold will self-seed if not deadheaded, without becoming invasive.
  • Performs best in full sun in a light, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Some afternoon shade is tolerated in hot summer areas. Because Calendula are cool-season flowers, they often sulk when summer sets in, especially in hot-weather areas.
  • Water regularly until the plants are established. Mature plants thrive on only occasional watering. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Pot Marigold is a great choice for beds and borders, edgings, ground cover, or mass plantings. It is also suitable for cut flower gardens and containers and looks great in the cottage garden.
  • Calendula is a wonderful companion plant in the garden. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and beneficial insects are drawn to the flowers, making them a useful addition to the vegetable garden.
  • In addition, Calendula is a trap crop, trapping pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and thrips by exuding a sticky sap (resin) that they find more appealing and delicious than nearby vegetable crops.
  • Calendula flowers can be harvested to make brightly colored bouquets. They can be used as a medicinal herb as they possess wound-healing and local anti-inflammatory properties.
  • The leaves and petals of this plant are edible. The leaves are often added to salads, and the fresh petals can be used as a garnish or seasoning.
  • Seeds can be sown directly in the garden just before the last frost date, but for earlier bloom start seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Successive sowings will provide fresh, blooming plants throughout the season.
  • If flowering performance dwindles in midsummer, cut back severely.
  • Young plants may be pinched back to encourage compact, bushy growth. Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional bloom. Cut back to ground level after flowering.
  • Few insects or diseases bother Pot Marigolds. Keep an eye out for aphids, powdery mildew, and occasional cucumber mosaic virus. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid Calendula.
  • Calendula officinalis is native to Southern Europe.

Calendula: Plant Care and Growing Guide (Pot Marigold)


Learn how to plant, grow and care for Calendula and add a bright pop of color all summer long.

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 6
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3, H1
Plant Type Annuals, Herbs
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Calendula
Common names Pot Marigold, Poet's Marigold, Calendula, English Marigold
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' (30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Calendula officinalis ‘Kinglet Mix’ (Pot Marigold)
Calendula officinalis ‘Orange Flash’ (Pot Marigold)
Calendula officinalis ‘Fiesta Gitana’ (Pot Marigold)
Calendula officinalis ‘Ivory Princess’ (Pot Marigold)
Calendula officinalis ‘Crown Orange’ (Pot Marigold)
Calendula officinalis ‘Bull’s Eye’ (Pot Marigold)

Recommended Companion Plants

Callistephus chinensis (China Aster)
Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-Mist)
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
Cosmos Flowers
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)
Allium (Ornamental Onion)

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Calendula (Pot Marigold)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 6
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3, H1
Plant Type Annuals, Herbs
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Calendula
Common names Pot Marigold, Poet's Marigold, Calendula, English Marigold
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' (30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Calendula (Pot Marigold) to pick?
Compare Now

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