Native to the Mediterranean basin, the common pot marigold ( Calendula officinalis ) has long been a staple of traditional vegetable and medicinal garden practices. Its single or semi-double flowers, ranging from yellow to bright orange, dot the welcoming soil with small touches of sunshine that follow the cycle of the seasons, from late spring until the first frosts.

In a harmonious garden, it gently self-seeds where the soil suits it, forming bushy clumps with tender green foliage that is slightly sticky to the touch. A benevolent presence, it attracts a host of pollinators and beneficial insects, offering nectar, shelter, and resources for the small fauna of the thriving garden.

A reliable and easy-to-grow plant, the pot marigold naturally finds its place in vegetable garden borders, edible flower beds, or the quiet corner of a herb garden. Ornamental, edible, and medicinal, this generous companion connects the gardener to a long tradition of respectful cultivation and a relationship with living things.