Calendula officinalis 'Orange King'
marigold 'Orange King'
An impressive, hardy annual, calendula variety producing enormous, double orange flowers between May and September until the first hard frost. Easy to grow from seed and perfect for cut flowers. The petals are edible and really brighten up a Summer salad or they can be dried and used as a substitute to Saffron for colouring
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Orange | Green | ||
| Autumn | Orange | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Calendula can be annuals or woody-based perennials, with simple, aromatic leaves and showy, orange or yellow, daisy-like flower-heads in summer and autumn
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well drained soil in full sun. Sow direct in spring, 0.5cm deep into finely prepared soil, thin to 23cm apart. For a continuous display, sow at two to three weekly intervals. Autumn sowings will flower the following year. Deadhead regularly and pinch out terminal shoots to encourage bushy growth
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in situ in Spring or Autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
Regularly deadhead to extend flowering. Cut back to ground level after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and a virus
Get involved
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