[Artemisia] Marigolds?

[machay at xmission.com]

Thank you researching and reporting on this to all of us. It is  
fascinating from the historical perspective. I had no idea where the  
"marigold" came from but it is perfectly sensible that it would be a  
medieval flower associated with a church holy day. I also had no idea  
the French Marigold was a New World plant. It certainly raises all  
kinds of interesting thoughts relative to Lady Flora's "novel" about  
merchanting flowers. Having marigolds on one's wrist or in a vase at  
the feast table in March would carry special meaning now. I wonder  
what other holy days could be linked with SCA events with their  
respective flowers? YIS, Luveday de Saleford

Quoting Aghren the Brus <aghren at msn.com>:

> OK, here's some springtime "gold" for you...
>
> The name "marigold" originally belonged to several early blooming   
> English plants; two that may be familiar are calendula and marsh   
> marigold. These plants were often in bloom during the Feast of the   
> Annunciation of Mary (March 25). In the early days of this   
> celebration these spring flowers provided gold color to Mary's   
> celebration, so they came to be called Mary's Gold, which was later   
> shortened to marigold. (from   
> http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=MagazineRack/Articles/merrymarigolds.html&cart_id=81.1496)
>
> Pot Marigold (Calendula) flowers are a summer blooming, heat   
> resistant annual for sunny locations. Large blooms on long stems in   
> a range of colors from creamy white to dark orange. Pot Marigold   
> grow 1-1/2 feet tall, which makes a nice cut flower. Known as the   
> pot marigold since ancient times, this edible flower is still used   
> as seasoning (and medicinally). The flower petals make a tasty   
> addition to soups, salads and rice.
> Heirloom seeds (or non-hybridized seeds) are available from several   
> seed catalogs (this info was taken from yankeegardener.com)
>
> Marsh Marigold is a wildflower found in Europe and North America. It  
>  is a member of the Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family and, if I   
> remember correctly, all of this family is considered poisonous. It   
> grows wild in marshes, has a hollow stem, a heart-shape leaf and   
> really doesn't look anything like the Pot or French Marigold except   
> its golden color.   
> (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9051106/marsh-marigold)
>
> The "French" Marigold, another heirloom variety, are small plants (8  
>  to 10 in.) that produce an abundance of blooms all season in   
> combinations of yellows and reds with the familiar pungent odor.   
> They were brought to Europe by the Spanish from Brazil in the   
> 1500's. These dwarf forms were so popular in Paris that they became   
> known as French Marigolds. Considered tokens of good luck, the   
> flowers were thought to ward off evil. Several varieties are native   
> to South and Central America, and were used for culinary, medicinal   
> and spriitual purposes. (The scent of marigold was believed to form   
> a spiritual path that the souls of deceased family members could   
> follow.)
>
> These flowers were not hybridized until 1937 by Burpee with the   
> introduction of the Burpee Red and Gold Hybrid Marigold. A   
> non-odorous variety was found in China in the 20's but it was not as  
>  popular as its stinky cousin. It did give the researchers plenty to  
>  work with and it genes have found their way into our gardens as it   
> added new dimensions to an old standard.
>
> On a personal note, I know that the distinct odor still takes me   
> back to gardens of my youth...
>
> Happy New Year to you all!
>
> Ag
>
>
> "The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time." from J Taylor
>
>> From: carynvnk at comcast.net> To: artemisia at lists.gallowglass.org>   
>> Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:50:12 -0700> Subject: [Artemisia]   
>> Marigolds?> > Greetings!> I'm greatly enjoying this gardening   
>> discussion while the snow falls!> > And here's a question:> Does   
>> anyone know how old modern marigold varieties actually are? I know>  
>>  there are lots of different kinds, big, little, yellow, orange,  
>> and  I think> some of them were descended from species calendulas  
>> (noble  flowers in their> own right, and, if I remember correctly,  
>> edible  as well) but I was> wondering.> > Lady Flora, I've been the  
>>  recipient of some of your lovely flowers (a couple> of times from   
>> you personally) and I hope you can continue to provide them> and   
>> have them be profitable. I also hope you enjoy attending without>   
>> merchanting! Does that mean we'll get to hear more of your   
>> singing?> > Best always> Caryn> >   
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