Calendula Wildflower Seed

Calendula - Calendula Officinalis

Approximate seeds per pound: 72,575
Seeding rate: Plant calendula wildflower seed at 4 pounds per acre
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Flower Color: Orange to yellow
Plant Type: Annual. Lives just one year. Grows quickly, blooms heavily, dies with first frost. Can regrow following spring if seed falls on bare ground.
Flower Type: Daisy-like
Bloom Time: Early and mid-season
Is calendula wildflower invasive? No
Is calendula wildflower endangered? No
Is calendula wildflower edible? Yes
Is calendula wildflower medicinal? Yes - the dried petals of the calendula plant are used for medicinal purposes
Regions: All regions of North America
Zones: 3 - 10
Soil preference: Adaptable
Sun/Shade: Needs full sun
Moisture Requirements: Average moisture, well-drained.

Calendula is an annual or short-lived herbaceous perennial growing from 1 to 3 feet tall. Calendula makes flowers of orange or yellow, with single rows of petals or "doubles" which some say glow like the sun. Wild calendula is easy to grow from wildflower seed, and makes good color in a meadow setting. Often reblooms late in fall and is somewhat frost-tolerant. Calendula grows quickly, blooms heavily, and then dies with the first heavy frost. It will grow in all regions of North America. Calendula likes a shallow covering for good wild flower seed germination.

Calendula contains high amounts of flavonoids which are plant-based antioxidants that protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals. Researchers are not sure what active ingredients in calendula are responsible for its healing properties, but it appears to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. This allows calendula to be used externally for its antiseptic and healing properties in treating skin infections, cuts, punctures, scrapes, burns and chapped or chafed skin or lips. The tea or the tincture in water can be swished and swallowed in order to help heal oral lesions, sore throat, or gastric ulcer. Calendula has a good history of external use in the treatment of varicose veins. The fresh flowers are masticated, reduced to a paste with water in a blender, or rubbed directly onto affected areas. The dried flowers are best made into an aromatic infused oil, tea, or tincture. This makes calendula one of the more unusual wild flower seeds we offer.