Calendula’s are the seedling of the month for July

Calendula officinalis is a reliable, ‘hard core’ and popular colour option for winter gardens. The brilliantly bright orange and yellow flowers, add colour and energy to windowboxes, containers and hanging baskets.

Calendula has medicinal properties and the flowers are edible. Calendula is often included in edible gardens, adds colour to herb pots and edible crates, doubling up as a useful companion plant that deters pests and beetles.

Calendula is frost-hardy, growing about 45cm high and 30cm wide. It produces brightly coloured yellow and orange daisies. Plant calendulas with dianthus, pansies and violas, or mix them in with giant red mustard, tatsoi, Swiss chard and lettuce. Use the petals to garnish salads, sandwiches and desserts.