Topic: Identification please

[galina]

Clearly a mislabelled packet from a seed swap.  I was expecting a quick growing oriental vegetable and this came up.  Or is it an edible flower after all?

Very pretty but what is it please?   

[Tee Gee]

Looks like Calendula ( pot marigold) to me

Don't let it self seed or else you will have it for life!

[mrrigsby]

I agree with Tee Gee, it looks like Callendula. Seeds are like tiny horseshoes, not at all like any vegetable seed I can think of.

[small]

I'd agree with TeeGee that it's pot marigold.  But I'd disagree about letting it self seed. I've had a glorious display among my veg this year, you can always hoe off unwanted seedlings once you've learned to recognise them. Enjoy!

[Jayb]

I'm with the others, Calendula 
They are lovely and must admit it's nice to have some self-seed, plus it's really easy to pull out any unwanted ones.

[ancellsfarmer]

Calendula or Pot marigold.
Has medicinal qualities -try Wikipedia
Has traditionally been used in soups and stews for flavour and colour.
Is a useful ground cover for waste areas, can be harvested before seeds set and used as a green in composting. May be useful as a "tea" if comfrey is not available, earlier in season.

[galina]

Thank you everybody.  I only knew much smaller yellow flowers as marigold, this big orange one was new to me.  Pot Marigold.  Yes, the seeds were horseshoe shaped.  The flowers are very pretty indeed and I will give them garden room (including weeding it out where needed).

Thank you all   

[Silverleaf]

I keep meaning to sow marigolds for my rabbits. I'm not a big fan of orange but I love calendula. Edible for humans too!

[Deb P]

Love calendula......my favourite is Indian Prince, dark red underside and not too floppy. I've also grown some dwarf varieties this year which make nice neat mounds but are a bugger to deadhead!

[johhnyco15]

yes pot marigold just like marmite myself im a lover the flower early and cheer up my seat area borders just about to chop them all back this week going to put gardners world alliums and spring bulbs in over the coming weeks £5.95 for 100 alliums and same price for 120 mixed spring bulbs looking forward to it already lol