[Artemisia] Marigolds?

[Aghren the Brus]

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> > _______________________________________________> Artemisia mailing list> Artemisia at lists.gallowglass.org> http://lists.gallowglass.org/mailman/listinfo/artemisia