Winter Has Arrived On Bruny Island
Cold weather at last. It does not feel like Tasmania without winter, and this year we’ve been waiting longer than usual. At last there is snow on the mountains – across the water – and a few cold nights. Being coastal much of Bruny Island avoids the real cold, but we did get to 2 degrees C last night. It does not change much for us as a cozy house keeps us happy – even with the outdoor loo in the cold. The garden does well if the frost does not hang around, which being coastal it doesn’t. Surprisingly we planted out a few ‘Orange porcupine’ Calendulas over winter which don’t mind the cold at all, continuing to bud and flower with frosty mornings. A bright spot in the winter garden.
Calendulas & Calendual 'Orange Porcupine'
Orange porcupine is a gorgeous Calndela. Spiky petals that are very soft to touch, in brilliant orange. Surprisingly hardy, flowering through the Tasmanian Winter on Bruny Island.
Fun Facts
– Calendulas in the past have been used in chicken feed mixes resulting in “nice dark coloured egg yolks”*
– Common medicinal uses: great lymphatic herb for detox, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, good for gall bladder health, helps with circulation and supports new tissue growth.
– Flowers are edible and we have used them in salads and on Rachel’s famous ‘Rocky Road’.
– Calendulas are also known as ‘Pot Marigolds’ and ‘English Marigolds’.
– Native to northern Africa and Southern Europe.
Growing notes: Easy to grow, flowers over long periods, in full production after a few months sowing. Frost hardy and will survive frosts. Grows in a range of soils and is disease resistant. Sow late summer to early winter.