Calendula officinalis 'Daisy May' (Daisy Series)

RHS Plant Profile

marigold 'Daisy May'

RHS

Synonyms

Calendula officinalis 'Orange Daisy'

Annual Biennial

A compact, bushy annual to around 25cm tall with aromatic, lance-shaped leaves. Masses of orange, daisy-like flowerheads appear over a long season from summer through until the first frosts

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Calendula can be annuals or woody-based perennials, with simple, aromatic leaves and showy, orange or yellow, daisy-like flower-heads in summer and autumn
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a light, poor to moderately fertile, free-draining soil in full sun or partial shade. deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and pinch out terminal shoots to encourage bushy growth. Good for cut flowers

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

deadhead regularly; cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews and a virus