Calendula Citrus Cocktail

This mouth-watering colour combination smothers the particularly dwarf, compact, bushy plants with alluring orange and golden yellow, daisy-like blooms. Unlike some bedding plants, Calendula ‘Citrus Cocktail’ keeps on flowering throughout the summer, coping in almost any garden situation. It even grows well in coastal areas. The bright flowers are also excellent for cutting and can also be added to salads as an edible flower. Height: 20cm. Spread: 30cm.

Culinary note: Some parts of these flowers are edible. The light peppery taste of the flowers can be added to breads for extra flavour with a touch of colour. Can also be used as a substitute for saffron when colouring rice dishes.

Direct sow calendula seeds outdoors where they are to grow . Choose a position in full sun on well-drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 1cm in drills spaced 30cm apart and cover seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 5-10 days. When calendula seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 30cm apart. Alternatively, sow indoors from March to April at a temperature of 18-23C. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors.