Calendula gets its name from the Romans in that the plant blooms every month of the year in warmer climates. In the early history of the plant, it was grown as an herb in easing headaches, toothaches, and fevers. You will find lotions and oils made of flowers for insect bites, sunburns, and reducing itchy skin. Later it was grown as a potherb and use in cooking stews and soups as a flavor.
The original plant bloom with orange-colored flowers. Now the plant comes in many shades and bi-colors ranging from white to pink. An easy-to-grow annual which can be grown from seeds to transplants (for some reason you will not find these in greenhouses). They like full sun but will grow in part shade in our hotter climate. The only drawback is they need to be dead-headed, to keep them freely blooming.
People call calendula a pot marigold. They are completely different families and calendulas have no pungent smell.