Calendula maritima, commonly known as Trailing Calendula, is an evergreen perennial herb, native to coastal areas of western and central Mediterranean regions. It typically reaches a height of 20 to 40 cm (7.9 to 15.7 in) with a spreading habit. The stems, which become woody at the base, are initially erect but eventually sprawl and spread along the ground. Its leaves are covered with short, sticky hairs that help conserve moisture. The plant is notable for its basket-shaped, bright yellow flowers that measure 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2.0 in) in diameter, blooming mainly from May to June and attracting pollinators.

Trailing Calendula is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor, sandy soils, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens and xeriscaping. It serves well as a flowering ground cover, container plant, and in rock gardens due to its low maintenance and spreading nature. Cultivars like ’Skyfire’ and ’Summerlovers Skyfire Yellow’ offer bright yellow blooms and are popular in urban plantings, borders, and as potted plants for outdoor living spaces. While it prefers full sun to part shade, it requires well-drained soil and only moderate watering, being particularly tolerant of dry conditions once established.CC BY-SA 4.0