Pennsylvania Dutch Calendula 
Calendula officinalis
Many years ago, we began growing these cheerful heirlooms at Kutztown University since they were one of the most iconic flowers in the Pennsylvania Dutch kitchen garden. Called Ringelblum or Ringelros (wreath rose) in Pennsylvania Dutch, their presence in old-time gardens was both culinary and medical, not to mention imbued with all sorts of rich folklore. In the world of Pennsylvania Dutch fairy tales, Ringelros is a flower fairy, the daughter of the fairy queen called Schlangefraa (the Snake Mother), a symbol of beauty and longevity. Ringelros protects the garden from danger and misfortune, which is why calendulas were often planted along pathways leading into houses or into kitchen gardens. This belief traces to the Middle Ages when the calendula was thought to protect the house from disease and pestilence. As such, the flowers were gathered into wreaths and placed on graves or hung on front doors if there was a contagious disease in the community. The petals are still scattered in soups, and the flowers are eaten in salads with salt and vinegar to strengthen digestion. The flowers were also made into tarts or converted into salves for ailments of the skin.  Minimum 50 seeds.