Tagetes patula (French Marigold)

Brightening the garden with its cheerful blooms, Tagetes patula (French Marigold) is a compact, bushy annual boasting semi-double, double or crested flowers, up to 2 in. across (5 cm) in various combinations of reds, oranges, and yellows. Blooming from early summer until frost, the showy blossoms generously cover the finely divided aromatic foliage. The flowers and foliage have a spicy fragrance and have been used to deter insects in the garden. Easy to grow and low maintenance, French marigolds are excellent for beds, containers, or as edging plants.

• Vigorously grows up to 6-12 in. high and across (15-30 cm)
• Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Some light afternoon shade is tolerated in hot summer areas. Adaptable to poor soils, heat, humidity, and especially drought.
• French Marigolds are excellent additions to the landscape as bedding or edging plants at the front of the border or in containers on the deck or patio. Great companion planting for vegetable or herb gardens.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew, Botrytis, leaf spots, rots, spider mites, and thrips. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
• Pinching off dead blossoms will promote continuous blooming. Blooming might decrease in the heat of summer but will resume once temperatures cool down.
• May be grown from seeds or live plants. Sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed or indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last spring frost date.
• Foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
• Tagetes patula is native to Mexico, and Guatemala.

Popular French Marigolds

• Aurora Series: 12 in. tall plants (30 cm) with wide-petaled, anemone-like flowers in shades of maroon, yellow, and orange.
• Bonanza Series: 10-12 in. tall plants (25-30 cm) with double-crested flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), in 5 different combinations of yellow, orange, and maroon.
• Boy O’ Boy Series: 6 in. tall (15 cm) with flowers in shades of maroon, yellow, and orange. Noted for their profuse flowers.
• Disco Series: 10 in. tall plants (25 cm) with single flowers. Rain and heat tolerant
• Durango Series: 10-12 in. tall plants (25-30 cm) with anemone-type flowers.
• Hero Series: 10 in. tall plants (25 cm) with double carnation, 2 in. flowers (5 cm) in 7 different combinations of yellow, orange, and maroon.
• Hot Pak Series: 7 in. tall plants (18 cm) that are extremely heat and humidity tolerant. 
• Janie Series: Early blooming. 8 in. tall plants (20 cm) with double carnation flowers in 6 different combinations of yellow, orange, and maroon. Early bloomer and perfect for container growing.
• Little Hero Series: 7 in. tall plants (18 cm) with large, double carnation flowers in 7 color combinations of maroon, orange, and yellow.
• Naughty Marietta: 8-10 in. tall plant (20-25 cm) boasting single flowers with bright golden-yellow petals each marked with a central garnet blotch. 1947 AAS Winner.
• Safari Series: 8-10 in. tall plants (20-25 cm) with carnation-like, large flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), in shades of maroon, yellow, and orange.
• Super Hero Series: 10-12 in. tall plants (25-30 cm). The color ‘Spry’, with its maroon outer petals and golden center, was a 2018 AAS Winner.