Calendula: A Special Flower, Now in Bloom at Stone Barns

By Krista Madsen

"The Calendula flowers that Shannon Algiere grows at Stone Barns for our skin care products are just beginning to bloom," announced Patricia Butter, president of the Pleasantville-based Buttercup & Jake company.

The news from Algiere sent Butter on a photo-tour of the grounds, where she took these beautiful shots recently and wrote this about these special flowers and their uses on her blog:

The Calendula plants absorb the abundant early summer sunshine, and transform that energy into a sticky resin that coats the buds and flowers. Their oil has been used for centuries to heal skin conditions ranging from eczema to dermatitis. The petals are edible, and look lovely sprinkled on a salad and were used as a saffron substitute in stews by the Romans. It is an especially gentle plant, which is why it is our ingredient of choice for skin care for babies, youngsters and even oldsters with sensitive skin. Coming from a local, sustainable source it brings both beauty and prosperity to our little corner of the Hudson Valley.

For more information on Buttercup & Jake, check out this article.