If planted in shade and cool, moist areas, marigolds are prone to powdery mildew and won’t bloom well. In fact, they will grow with ease in zones two through 11 with blooms that brighten your garden in the spring, summer, and fall of the year. Seeds usually germinate in 4-14 days. Both varieties produce lovely orange, yellow and red flowerheads from spring through fall for dazzling color all summer long. fine, Shape: African marigold plants can also be purchased at most garden centers in the spring. In Mexico, this plant is found in the wild in the states of México, Michoacán, Puebla, and Veracruz.. Plant spacing varies from 6 to 9 inches for the French marigolds and up to 18 inches for the taller African marigold varieties. They have low germination, which can make them a bit challenging to grow, but with proper care can be the most rewarding, as they have a … Triploid Marigolds – A hybrid between French and African marigolds, triploid marigolds also have large, sturdy blooms. Pinch back tall marigold varieties when young to encourage bushiness and give them a support. Read on to learn how to grow marigolds in containers. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. While there are various species of marigold flowers grown around the world, calendula is considered to be the most medicinal. African marigolds also bear the name American marigolds or Aztec marigolds. A properly prepared garden has plenty of mulch to ensure the marigolds retain their moisture throughout the winter, which leads to flowering during the summer. same as above. �Safari� Series: 1� tall plants with flat-topped, large flowers in shades of maroon, yellow, and orange. These aromatic plants brighten the garden with their cheerful shades of yellow, orange and maroon. Whether it's being used for its ornamental appeal or because it is part of a time-honored tradition, there are so many uses for African marigold. Its pungent smell and is used in many cosmetic treatments. Marigolds are easygoing plants that bloom reliably, even in direct sunlight, punishing heat and poor to average soil. Foliage texture: Colors are red, gold and yellow. African (Tagetes erecta) – Tall plants with pom-pom double flowers in yellow and orange. Site and Plant Characteristics You may have some luck planting marigolds around the edges of my vegetable garden, to deter rabbits. They can grow over 2 feet tall and have flowers that are 5 inches across. Planting French marigold. French marigolds are reputed to have some pest-repelling qualities and used to be considered an invaluable flower for the vegetable garden, but there is not a lot of evidence that they actually repel anything except nematodes. Tolerant of heat, drought, and pests, the marigold is about as easy to care for as they come. These aromatic plants brighten the garden with their cheerful shades of yellow, orange and maroon. Flowers come in a wide array of variations on these basic colors, including gold and bronze. Marigold seeds germinate quickly, within just a few days, and bloom in about 8 weeks. They tend to be short, bushy plants, although they can grow from 5 to 18 inches tall. Your marigolds won't need any supplemental fertilizer unless your soil is extremely poor. The planting is an important step, because it determines how the plant will grow and the expected blooming of the French marigold. Give them full sun and some well-draining soil and watch them bloom from late spring until fall. Before planting marigolds, decide which type you want to grow. They work best with either other hot colors, like yellow and orange daylilies, or with complementary purples, like salvia and verbena. African marigolds are taller at 1 to 4 feet with a 2-foot spread. There are several species and divisions of marigold. Useful and Easily Grown Flowers for Garden and Greenhouse. They do well as bedding plants, bordering planters, or lining vegetable gardens. �Inca� F-1 hybrids: dense, compact 14� tall plants with large, double flowers in shades of yellow, orange and maroon. Asteraceae Family. They tolerate a wide range of temperatures but can get powdery mildew in damp or humid summers. Marigolds are very easy to start from seed. Long blooming season from spring up to the first frost. In cooler climates, gardeners need to wait until after the last frost to plant marigolds. Asteraceae Family Taller and more upright than French Marigolds, African Marigolds are easy to grow and thrive under hot, dry conditions. Here are some facts about … Marigolds require very little care and attention, leaving you to just enjoy their beauty and not have to fuss over them too much. They also don't need a soil that is particularly rich in organic matter and seem to grow better in a leaner soil. Calendula marigolds are yellow-orange in color and form small florets of petals that are harvested and dried for their numerous medicinal properties. Marigolds are not fussy. Marigold Flower. Among other well-known varieties like the French marigolds, this Tagetes erecta is more drought tolerant, loves the full sun, and seem to like a poor soil. not native to North America African marigold plants propagate easily from seed started indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date or sown directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Also known as Chrysanthemum-Flowered Marigold, Carnation Flowered Marigold, Gigantea Marigold The marigold flower is one of the most common planted annuals in the world. How to Grow and Care for Marigolds in Containers. Marigolds are very hardy plants that can grow in nearly any location. African Marigold Care Must-Knows Marigolds have been grown for ages, all the way back to the Cherokee tribe and Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. The edible marigolds are the signets. Sow African marigold seeds in trays indoors. Caring for African Marigolds African marigolds are heat and drought-resistant flowers that bloom throughout the summer and early fall. �Sumo� F-1 hybrids: 1 �� to 2� tall plans with flowers in shades of red, yellow and orange. Marigolds are outdoor flowers capable of surviving during the cold winter months as long as you properly prepare the ground for the cold season. learn How to grow Marigold flower, Growing marigold plant … Tegets most cultivated varieties of which are known as African Marigold. annual. It’s native to Egypt and parts of the Mediterranean but is now grown in every continent, usually blooming during the warmer months of the year (from about M… Marigolds start blooming by mid spring and continue producing Triploid Hybrids Marigolds. Their hardiness, ease of care and long growing season -- from spring to fall -- make them a natural teaching tool in grammar school science class. Calendula officinalis is in the plant family known as Asteraceae or Compositae. Of course, you can find seedlings in just about every nursery, so you don't have to start them from seed at all if you really want to jump-start your flower garden. Alternatively you can buy ready-grown trays of African marigolds from garden centres. Once they have had a few weeks to establish a good root system, they will be more drought-tolerant, but they will still bloom best if given weekly water. When planting or transplanting African marigold plants, be sure to plant them slightly deeper than they were originally growing. Lifecycle: All rights reserved. Gardeners in all planting zones have to replant them every year. - Native to Africa. Although native to Mexico, you can grow marigold plants virtually anywhere. With large, pom-pom flowers on either compact or relatively tall plants, African marigolds are popular for both the border and as cut flowers. The most commonly grown marigolds are African (also called American or Aztec) and French types. Marigolds are a strong stock flower produced from a tiny seed. Marigolds are a favorite, no-fuss annual that can bring the color of sunshine to your garden, as well as butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects. (Seeds saved from hybrid varieties will not breed true.) Intro: These beautiful gold, orange, yellow or white flowers (and a mixture of these colors) are often planted in butterfly gardens. Colors include yellow and orange, although it's not unlikely there will be a red option at some point. Tagetes are at their best in the full sun. Botanical Name: Tagetes erecta x Tagetes patula. Caring for Marigolds (Tagetes Plant) It is fairly easy to care for members of the Tagetes plant genus such as Marigolds. Plants are 1 � to 2� tall. Growing and planting Marigolds: African and French Marigolds. When you first plant your marigold seeds or plants, make sure they get regular water. African marigolds have large flower heads (up to 5 inches across) on plants that grow from 10 … Because they are short plants, marigolds are generally used in the front of a border or in containers. There are three main types – French marigolds (Tagetes patula), the larger African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) plus triploids – crosses between French and African marigolds – and the single flowered signet marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia) with simple, daisy-like flowers. Marigolds germinate quickly outdoors when direct sown, and since the plants don't really start growing until the weather warms, the direct-sown plants have time to catch up to the plants started indoors. They can grow over 2 feet tall and have flowers that are 5 inches across. The long lasting companion flowers with their bold odour can be used to attract pollinators to your garden in … Marigold is very popular as a herbaceous plant. - Scatter seeds outdoors where desired after frost danger has passed, or start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Triploid marigolds, a cross between French and African marigolds, have sterile, 3-inch wide flower heads. �French Vanilla�: 3� wide flowers are pure creamy white. Marigolds are cheerful, compact annuals with flower shapes that can resemble daisies, coreopsis, and even carnations. They also grow quickly and can be direct-seeded after the last frost in spring for a summer of bright blooms. The most common variety of Tagetes is African marigold (T. erecta), although not native to Africa, and mostly bred as cut flowers.The French Marigold (T.patula) was developed in France, although also not native to the country.. Minimal scent. They look totally different from bedding marigolds, with lacy leaves and small, single, daisy-like flowers. fragrant If it is particularly hot and sunny, water them every day. Many species of these plants, which main is Tagetes lucida, T minuta, Calendula, African Marigold, French Marigold, Tagetes etc. Height/Spread: 12-24 … French Marigolds. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, 18 Yellow-Flowering Plants for Your Garden, 10 Easy Annual Flowers to Start From Seeds, Annual Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Plant Profile, 10 Tall Annual Flowers that Make a Strong Impact. Don't leave them in dry soil for more than a couple of days. In fact, they are often used to keep pests away. For the most flowers and the healthiest plants, plant your marigolds in full sun. These spunky little plants are only hardy in zones 9-11 so they are normally grown as annual bedding plants. seed Tagetes erecta, the Mexican marigold or Aztec marigold, is a species of the genus Tagetes native to Mexico.Despite its being native to the Americas, it is often called African marigold. Marigolds are one of the easiest of all plants to grow and care for, making them a perfect plant for teaching young children about growing and gardening. Water occasionally during dry weather and pinch off faded flowers to encourage additional bloom. There have been some hybrids on the market recently with an expanded palette of colors, such as shades of cream, burgundy, and bi-colors, but the flavor is not always equal to that of the 'Gem' varieties. Although they are beautiful in the ground, growing marigolds in containers is a surefire way to enjoy this delightful plant. You can find short bedding marigolds that grow only 4 to 6 inches tall and taller varieties that can reach 18 inches and make nice cutting flowers.The three most commonly grown types are African, French, and signet marigolds. Marigolds thrive in full sunshine and can often withstand very hot summers. African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta) With large, pom-pom flowers on either compact or relatively tall plants, African marigolds are popular for both the border and as cut flowers. They have purple-tinged stems with double flower heads in yellow, orange, and mahogany that are about 2 inches across. Marigolds are also beneficial to other plants in your garden because they attract helpful insects and repel nematodes, tiny round worms that damage many garden plants. They are both hungry and thirsty plants so fertilize and water frequently. African marigolds (aka American marigolds) grow to 3 feet high. Planting of French marigolds purchased in containers (pots sold in the horticulture stores) usually starts during the month of April to May. Marigolds are loved by many home gardeners for their bright, sunny colors, pretty flowers, and the fact that they are incredibly easy to care for. Marigolds can be classified as follows with French and African being the most common: French (Tagetes patula) – Dwarf, bushier plants with both solid and multi-colored flowers. - Some find the spicy scent pleasing, others find it unpleasant. The best thing you can do to keep them in flower is to deadhead regularly. Marigolds are very low-maintenance once established, and they are notably pest-free. �Galore� F-1 hybrids: large (4� wide), dense, flowers in shades of yellow and orange on 1 �� tall plants. The African marigold produces blooms of larger flowers. Unlike French Marigolds, plants take a long time to flower from seed, so it is best to start them indoors or buy pre-started plants. Their large, easy-to-handle seeds are often used with kids, for school projects. All About Marigold: Varieties and Uses. To achieve that non-stop flowering, keep your marigolds deadheaded. Keep the soil pH above about 6.0. Marigolds are some of the few garden flowers that are true annuals. They attract butterflies, but ward off other undesireable insects with their pungent odor. ©2006 Cornell University. This helps them stabilize to support their heavy flower tops. More growing information: How to Grow Annuals. French marigolds are prized for their long, prolific blooms. African and signet marigolds are drought tolerant, while French marigolds are more tolerant of wet conditions. Marigold varieties. upright, Shape in flower: Planting and care are important to enhance blooming. Propagate by French marigolds bush out to 6 to 12 inches high, with 2 inch flowers. �Gold Coin� Series: 1 � to 2� tall plants with large (5� wide) double blooms in gold, yellow, and orange. Once they germinate, prick them out and plant them outside from mid-May onwards - after the fear of frost has passed. Tagetes erecta They take off easily from seed, either grown indoors during the winter months or sown directly into the soil when it’s warmer out. African marigolds and wildlife. These types of marigolds bloom in the fall and the summer and since they are a … Taller and more upright than French Marigolds, African Marigolds are easy to grow and thrive under hot, dry conditions. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, 4 to 36 inches tall and 6 to 18 inches wide, Yellow, orange, white, red, gold, bicolor. This plant reaches heights of between 20 and 90 cm (7.9 and 35.4 in). Planting in full sun and providing room for airflow will lessen this problem. Marigolds can bloom almost non-stop and will keep going all summer, until frost. Summer care of marigolds is simple. Marigolds make nice border plants, but their hot colors should be used with discretion. You can start seeds indoors, about 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, but it's not really worth it. They are widely adaptable and extremely low-maintenance. Still, they add a lot of color to the vegetable garden. Since they are annuals that need to be planted again each year, they typically only grow to be about four to six inches tall, but there are some varieties of this plant that can grow to nearly triple this size. Tagetes (Tage’tes) are annuals of great decorative value during the summer and autumn months.They are natives of Mexico and South America and belong to the Daisy family, Compositae. How To Grow And Care Marigold Tagetes African French Signet Marigolds. Any good garden soil (and a little water during dry spells) should keep them happy, as long as the soil is not too acidic. They come in yellow and orange, with fitting cultivar names like 'Orange Gem,' 'Tangerine Gem', 'Red Gem', and 'Lemon Gem'. 1. 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