Family: Aster (Asteracea)

Annual.  40 to 50 days to maturity, sometimes a short-lived perennial in zones 5 to 9.

(Field Marigold) Native to southern Europe.  This is a very small-flowered calendula that volunteers freely once established, remains vibrant even when frosted, and is not picky about soil fertility, in fact preferring to grow in gravel or waste places. In the warmer zones, flowers will occur during every month of the calendar, and in fact more blossoms will be produced during the colder months of the year.  The young leaves and shoots, lightly steamed, are edible and nutritious.  Traditional usage of the fresh or dried flowers (TWM): antiinflammatory and antiseptic, used for treating minor skin infections, bites and stings.   Plant prefers full sun, moderate watering and a very fast-draining, nutrient-poor soil.  Sow the seed directly in the garden in the fall or early spring, or grow as a container plant.  The seed is best planted 1/2 inch deep in fast-draining soil and kept cool and moist until germination.  The seed is a dark-dependent germinator and contains a significant amount of germination inhibition factor, so cold stratification, especially that afforded by outdoor planting in the early fall or spring, will do much to stimulate germination.   Space plants 6 inches apart.  Flowers to 12 inches tall.
10 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown