Sunday, July 19, 2009

Calendula for the first time

This past week at the school, I was surely smitten by something I tend to not adore... a "doubled" flower emerged from our first ever attempt at growing Calendula. "Look at this," I said and directed many a student eye toward a flower that amazed me. Friday afternoon I grabbed my camera as the work week was coming to an end and first headed to the flower I wanted the world to see. And there was one on the far left of the five Calendula plants we had put into the ground...





Next to it another of the plants was beginning to have some flower buds unfold into a double, but appearing to be a different color...




I went over to the far right plant because I wanted an example of the first Calendula to bloom this year, all that was there was a flower ready to be deadheaded...







But I knew where I could find one. Earlier in the morning my students had helped me make a flower arrangement which we took to the good women in the education office who assist all of us...



the bright yellow flower at the bottom is what I was expecting from all the plants. Now if I had a memory I would not have been shocked, but what fun would that have been. I dug out the seed packet: Calendula Flashback Mix from Johnny's Selected Seeds.



I just glanced and found some recipes in which the petals of this plant are listed as an ingredient. Now I am curious, what would the Human Suggestion Box, who despised lavender brownies think of Calendula Corn Muffins? And does anyone put them into brownies??????????

6 comments:

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

I like calendula.

Sadly they sucumb to mildew but before they are beautiful plants.

They seed themselves about freely.

Wayne Stratz said...

Rob--- timely comment as one of my next posts is going to be about mildew.

Pomona Belvedere said...

That is a totally beautiful calendula and I am so glad you gave a satisfying ending by telling us what kind they are. I always like to hear about gardeners who get little horticultural surprises due to absent-mindedness, as I get plenty of those myself.

Wayne Stratz said...

Pomona--- I try to let the students know how one can be just fine while being imperfect.

walk2write said...

Calendula has such beautiful flowers. What a wonderful "surprise" you got with that double! I've read it was used extensively in the past as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. Maybe it can help with memory loss? If so, I'm going to be ordering some seeds! Here is a site I thought you might find interesting:


http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/marigo16.html

Wayne Stratz said...

walk2write--- well, if I ever get back to you about it improving my memory, than you'll know it works, thanks for the link... I will check it out.