Calendula

Plant Description & Taxonomy Calendula (commonly called pot marigold) is a herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial (in warmer climates) in the the Asteraceae (daisy) family.  Stems are upright to lax, branching, and the leaves are oblong-lanceolate with a hairy (pubescent) surface, often with entire or slightly toothed margins.  Flower heads (capitula) are daisy-like, typically 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) in diameter (some sources say 3–4 in) with ray florets (petals) around a central disc.  Flower colors include bright yellow, orange, cream, white, and bicolors. There are single and double-flowered cultivars.  The plant produces seeds (achenes) inside a dry fruiting head after flowering.  Hardiness / Grow Zones Calendula is generally grown as an annual in many regions, but in mild-winter zones it can persist as a short-lived perennial. Many sources list its USDA hardiness as zones 2–11 (i.e. extremely wide) when grown as an annual.  In zones 9–11, it may overwinter