Marigold Plant Information

The Tagetes

• Tagetes are a class of Marigolds that includes the African/American Marigolds. These produce flowers that measure 5 inches across on stems that can grow as high as 3 feet. The African/American Marigolds fit in nicely as a background plant in a flower bed with lower growing plants in the foreground. African/American Marigolds come is shades of yellow and orange and the French Marigolds are a shorter variety, growing from 5 to 18 inches high with 2-inch flowers. They come in shades of red, orange and yellow as well as a special red/orange combination. The French Marigold is used for flower bed boarders and in containers and window boxes.

Celandula

• The Celandula class includes the Signet Marigolds, which are a small and compact variety with the flowers growing in clusters. This variety is edible with a flavor not unlike tarragon and a lemony fragrance.

Climate

• The different varieties of Marigolds are hardy in different climates as defined by they planting zones. The French Marigolds are hardy in zones 3 to 9. The African/American Marigolds are hardy in zones 3 to 9 and the Signet Marigold is hardy in zones 9 to 11. Marigolds are annuals.

Planting

• Marigold seeds should be planted about 3/4-inch apart, covered lightly with soil and given a good watering. The plant itself will start to grow in just a couple of day, but it will be about a month and a half before the flowers appear. Marigolds are an annual, so they will have to be re planted each year. Marigolds can go in full sun or partial shade and a moist, well-drained soil.

Problems

• Insects as a whole do not like the aroma of Marigolds. As a matter of fact, if you plant Marigolds with other flowers and even in the vegetable garden, the insects will stay away from all of the plants. Slugs are another story. They love to eat the leaves of the Marigold plant and can destroy all of the plants in a very short time.