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NorthShore’s online source for timely health and wellness news, inspiring patient stories and tips to lead a healthy life.
By: Lauren McRae
Marigolds have long been popular garden flowers—a more unusual marigold, Tagetes tenuifolia, is called a signet marigold. ‘Red Gem’ is one of the Gem Series of single-flowered, edible, signet marigolds.
Red Gem grows to about 10 to 12 inches in height and features fern-like, airy foliage that has a pleasant citrus scent, covered with many small (approximately ½-inch) red flowers. It is attractive to beneficial insects such as ladybugs, butterflies and hover flies, and tends to repel pests. As a bonus, the flowers are edible, with a delicate, citrusy, slightly spicy flavor.
Harvest your Red Gem marigold blooms just before you want to use them, they can be rinsed briefly and dried on paper towels. Lori Wyble, RDN, CSO, LDN, Oncology Dietitian at NorthShore, shares her favorite way to enjoy.
Tip: Plant your Red Gem marigold seedling in full sun in well-drained average soil. Your seedling can also do well grown in a container—try using one at least 8 inches in diameter. Signet marigolds usually bloom throughout the summer until frost.
Red Gem Marigold Sparkling Refresher (Recipe makes 4 servings)
For the Sparkling Refresher:Ingredients:
Directions:
For the Ice Cubes:Ingredients:
Tip: For ice that's especially clear, use distilled water that has been boiled and then cooled. This limits impurities and air bubbles, which make ice cloudy.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories : 20 Fat: 0 gramsCarbohydrates: 0 gramsFiber: 1 gramProtein: 0 grams