The Red Garden continues to delight visitors with the flowering of medicinal and aromatic herbs.

The flowers of calendula officinalis (Calendula officinalis L.) were painted in an orange-yellow color. For the shape of calendula seeds, which resemble nails, it is popularly called marigolds. Since ancient times, calendula has been used as a medicinal plant. In European gardens, calendula has been cultivated since the 16th century. Calendula was the favorite flower of the Queen of Navarre, Marguerite of Valois. William Shakespeare wrote about this plant in The Winter’s Tale in 1611:
“Here are the flowers: lavender, mint, marjoram;
Calendula that goes to bed with the sun,
And he gets up with him. “

Calendula was used not only as an ornamental and medicinal plant, it was widely used as a spice that replaced saffron. Calendula petals were used to tint dishes in a yellow-orange color, giving them a unique tart flavor.
Currently, calendula is used in medicine and in ornamental gardening.

Enjoy your walks in the gardens of the Russian Museum.