Description
“Orange and Lemon Twist” Calendula
“Orange and Lemon Twist” Calendula is a perennial plant but is typically grown as an annual flower which grows in a bush-like form. The overall plant can grow up to 2’ tall and features multiple branched stems containing fine hairs and spatulate leaves. “Orange and Lemon Twist” Calendula flowers are yellow or orange. The plants are monoecious and feature ray and disc florets ranging from 1-3” in diameter.
5 Helpful Points:
- Flowers are 1-3″ diameter
- Florets are yellow
- May produce flowers all season in Minnesota if watered consistently
- 20-30+ flowers produced on average form a single grow bag
- Frost tolerant
When to expect flowers
Flowering will start in spring and last into summer. If prolonged hot days arrive, plant may finish its lifecycle early. We’ve found this flowering plant performs exceptionally well during the Minnesota summers with the plant continuing flowering into the fall. One plant can easily produce over 20-30+ flowers during its lifecycle
Growth habit
Calendula will send up multiple branch stem which will result in multiple flowers. A single plant will completely fill up a 3 gallon grow bag by the end of its lifecycle.
Basic care information for “Orange and Lemon Twist” Calendula
Thoroughly saturate the grow bag with water in the morning before the heat of the day arrives. If daytime highs are consistently above 70F, your plant will need to be watered daily. If below 70F, check the grow bag frequently by using the finger method described on the bag tag.
Snap or cut off old flowers.
*These plants can take a light frost. If you’d like to play it safe though, the plants may be easily moved indoors overnight.
More Information
Food and Edible Uses: “Orange and Lemon Twist” Calendula flowers have been used for food coloring in butter, margarine, and cheese. It’s also used in certain dishes as a substitute for saffron (also referred to as “poor man’s saffron”), a spice in other dishes or a “piece of flare” in salads. The leaves of the Calendula are also edible and may be added to salads or other dishes using fresh greens.
Check out MEG’s Edible Knowledge Base for edible flowers.
