Every month we feature two blogs written by volunteers, one describes an object in the Palace and one a plant from the Garden. It is a great way to learn more about the Palace. If you would like to contribute there is no set format so please do send in your ideas.
We’re grateful to Jamie Atwell for this fantastic specimen of the month blog.
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This blog has been written six days before Christmas. Here in my garden at home, three Calendula (or common marigold) are still in flower.
A sea of calendula officinalis, common marigolds, in flower
Needless to say, they were all acquired from the Barrow in the Walled Garden at Fulham Palace (which is the place to buy your plants). That they’re still in flower could be an indicator of global warming – the RHS describes them as flourishing ‘until the first hard frosts.’
Calendula officinalis ‘Indian Prince‘
Whatever the reason, and it’s certainly not down to any gardening skill on my part, it is a joy to have some colour in the garden at this rather drab time of year (excepting, of course, the Fulham Palace Christmas wreath adorning my front door).
They’ve been used in cooking since ancient times – the flowers are edible and are often used in salads, or as a garnish in dishes in lieu of saffron. They are also a useful, organic means of deterring pests, which is why next year you’ll see marigolds planted out on the borders of the vegetable beds in the Walled Garden (unless of course Head Gardener Lucy Hart has another trick up her sleeve!).
Beautiful to look at; a great adjunct in the kitchen and playing a central role in pest control, the Calendula is a much under appreciated plant and should be more celebrated.
Jamie Atwell, Garden volunteer
Thank you very much to Jamie for this wonderful blog about marigolds.
Please send your ideas for object or specimen of the month blogs to rachel.bagnall-bray@fulhampalace.org. If you would like some help, please let me know.