Content
Terry calendula is an incredibly valuable flower with a rich composition. It has two main uses: landscape and medicinal. The herbaceous shrub demonstrates excellent decorative qualities, almost independent of the time of year. Varieties can be either annual or perennial.
Description with photo
On the Internet you can find another name for terry calendula; it is often called marigold. The plant is widespread in Russia, since the temperate climate is considered favorable for the development of its root system.
The culture has high frost resistance, at the same time it is photophilous - it grows in open meadows
Terry calendula has erect stems that are covered with fluff and leaves. The latter are arranged alternately. The height of the bush can vary greatly, since there are many varieties with individual characteristics: dwarf varieties barely exceed 20 cm, and the largest representatives grow beyond 75 cm.
You can guess that the plant received its scientific name because of the structure of the flowers. They resemble small baskets rising above straight stems.The color of the petals can be white, cream, yellow, brown, orange, red.
In reality, there are much more variations, since there are varieties with intermediate shades, as well as two-color
The plant is used in medical practice, most often in folk medicine. Summer residents collect petals and full-fledged inflorescences and prepare ointments, decoctions and tinctures based on them. Terry calendula flowers are also used in cosmetology; they contain substances that have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.
Other beneficial properties include:
- Calendula helps cope with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (in particular gastritis), heart, nervous system and liver. The opened buds of the terry plant contain carotenoids, saponins, essential oils and tanning components.
- The herbaceous shrub produces rare phytoncides that prevent the proliferation of harmful insects - mole crickets, nematodes, onion flies. Therefore, in order to protect the beds, the plant is specially planted nearby.
- Solutions prepared on the basis of terry calendula help cope with colds. They can treat mild cough, stomatitis, periodontal disease. The compositions act as an antiseptic, killing most bacteria.
- Ointments heal bruises, wounds, burns. Oils are often prepared from the seeds and inflorescences and are used for bedsores.
- The green mass of terry calendula can act as green manure. It is specially buried in the ground, intending to restore the condition of the site.
- All varieties of the plant can be used as a component to improve hair quality. Masks make strands strong and elastic.
- The terry variety of calendula improves immunity and is often used as a prophylactic. The shoots and flowers contain substances that have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and calming effect.
The use of shrubs is contraindicated:
- People suffering from high acidity of the gastrointestinal tract and ulcers.
- Children and pregnant women - due to the large amount of acids.
- Patients who have undergone operations related to traumatic brain injuries.
It is also worth asking your doctor for advice, as there may be cases of individual intolerance
Varieties of terry calendula
Terry shrubs have spread throughout Russia, so it is not surprising why there are currently dozens of varieties. But there are also the most popular among them.
Geisha terry
The plant received an unusual oriental name. It has bright inflorescences represented by yellow and orange flowers. A distinctive feature of the terry type of calendula is its dense foliage.
The herbaceous shrub begins to bloom in the last week of June. Budding continues until frost arrives.
The Geisha terry variety is undemanding in care and is often used by designers and florists
Lemon juice
The average height of the crop is a little more than 25 cm. The variety gained fame precisely due to its compactness.
The double flower of this variety grows intensively sideways - the length of the bush is almost three times its height
Indian Prince
Tall calendula with double flowers reaches 70 cm in height.It produces large buds that open by early summer. The petals received a bright orange color. The variety is grown mainly by florists, as it is easy to create a lush bouquet from it.
Sometimes the variety is planted in flower beds
Red Devil
This variety has some of the largest inflorescences. The same can be said about the calendula itself, because its height can exceed 80 cm.
The petals of the variety are red in color, which may fade slightly in the sun.
Candyman orange
The dwarf plant does not grow higher than 22 cm. It has orange inflorescences that resemble a fresh orange in intensity.
The Candyman orange variety is an extremely winter-hardy crop.
Sun Goddess
The culture can be called medium-sized - it exceeds 30 cm. Double calendula has the same succulent flowers as other representatives, but their shape is more reminiscent of cactus dahlias.
Calendula with double flowers produces voluminous seeds, so they are planted at a great distance from each other
Pink surprise
Calendula of this variety reaches up to 45 cm in height. It is distinguished by powerful buds up to 60 mm in diameter. Color can vary from cream to pink, depending on growing conditions and lighting.
The inflorescences are located very closely, making the bushes lush
Orange King
This is probably the most popular calendula variety among terry species. It is most often found in parks, squares, and dachas. Bright orange inflorescences grow up to 60 mm, the shrub itself reaches 55 cm.
The variety blooms from June to October
Red visa black
Another bright variety of terry calendula, in the middle of which, like a black hole, there is a contrasting spot. The Red Visa Black variety grows up to 50 cm and tolerates light frosts (down to -5 °C).
The variety has strong immunity to infectious diseases
Sun of Egypt
Externally, the terry appearance of calendula is similar to a chrysanthemum. It blooms intensely, the flowers reach up to 80 mm in diameter. With proper cultivation, the height of the Sun of Egypt variety will be 55 cm. The herbaceous shrub is grown by designers and flower growers.
The Sun of Egypt variety is also used in folk practice - high-quality healing decoctions are obtained from the inflorescences
Features of growing terry calendula
Wanting to plant calendula on a plot, beginners wonder what kind of soil is needed. If the area is depleted, the addition of compost, phosphorus and potassium is required. They will serve as a growth stimulator. To improve drainage properties, coarse river sand is added.
Sowing is done in prepared beds: it is necessary to dig grooves and scatter seeds in them. Some varieties have large seeds, while others have small ones. The larger the specimens, the farther they should be located from each other.
When planting in spring, the bushes are watered generously with warm water. In the fall this is not required at all. Sprouts form on average within a week, and by the next month the plantings can be thinned out.
If sowing was done at home, at this stage the seedlings are planted in open ground
As for caring for calendula with double flowers, it requires compliance with agrotechnical standards:
- Regular but moderate watering.Water should not stagnate near the roots, otherwise problems with disease will arise. On hot days, the amount of moisture is increased; irrigating the green mass in the evening is encouraged.
- Waterlogging of the soil leads to the growth of surface roots. They will have to be sprinkled on time, otherwise they will dry out and the terry calendula will die.
- Fertilizing is applied several times a season using the preparations Kemira and Plantofol. These are ready-to-use formulations.
- During the flowering period, it is necessary to exclude nitrogen-containing fertilizers, as they have a bad effect on the quality of the inflorescences. Also, with excessive fertilizing, the risk of pests increases - many insects feed on nitrogen, and such a “feeder” can become a new home for them.
- Once a month it is recommended to use organic matter. The best remedies are rotted mullein, bird droppings, and horse manure.
- Do not forget to remove weeds around the beds, as they significantly slow down growth. At the same time, it will be useful to loosen the soil.
- If terry calendula is grown at home, it will also have to be moistened regularly. Make sure that the top layers of the soil remain slightly moist. It is best to place the pot on a bright windowsill.
- Faded buds require timely removal. If they are not picked, plant sap will continue to flow to the flowers when it could be nourishing other flowers. This procedure also stimulates the growth of roots and shoots - which has a positive effect on the general condition of the calendula.
In order for the bushes to actively form lateral shoots and become lush and tall, experts recommend pinching the top part of the terry calendula.
What colors does terry calendula go with?
The crop is actively planted for decorative purposes. Designers like to place double flowers in low flower beds, making neighbors low-growing flowers or even grass (not too aggressive).
It’s good if the vegetation is predominantly green - this will result in a neat composition
Many gardeners create huge flower beds using mainly flowerbed varieties of calendula
Terry calendula goes with many flowers, but if you need to focus on it, the company should be low. It is also important to choose the right tone.
Conclusion
Terry calendula is a colorful plant that has dozens of subspecies. The color and height of each variety is individual, which facilitates the design process. The main advantages of the culture are unpretentiousness and winter hardiness. It also has healing properties.
