Types of Marigolds
Marigolds come in different varieties, each with its traits and benefits. Marigolds are perennial flowers, and they need little maintenance if they receive full sun. The flowers are brightly colored, and they attract beneficial insects and repel pests. The leaves are soft and resemble the leaves of ferns. They also produce fragrant blooms in the summer.
Variety in Marigold:
Marigolds come in many varieties, including dwarf and tall. If you’re growing tall marigolds, you may need to stake them. Tall varieties can spread by seed and will require additional support. Smaller varieties are ideal for containers. Marigolds grow well in pots. They do not require special soil, but they prefer loamy soil.
French marigolds:
French marigolds, or Tagetes patula, are highly aromatic flowering plants. Their carnation-like, semi-double flowers have a tarragon-like smell. These plants can grow up to 4 feet, so it is important to select the right variety for your planting site.
Fragrant marigolds:
Marigold flowers have a wide range of medicinal uses, including curing dozens of ailments. Ointments made from marigold flowers can also soothe skin conditions. Marigold flowers can also be used as a flavoring agent for food. Marigold flowers can also be boiled to make a dye. These flowers can also be stored for later use.
How French Marigold Grow:
French marigolds have a busy growth habit and are usually six to 12 inches tall. They can have single or double flowers, and double flowers are more common. The double flowers are about two inches wide. African marigolds are larger than French marigolds and grow up to three feet. Their habit is upright and they produce large double flowers.
Size of French Marigolds
French Marigolds are smaller and bushier than African marigolds. They are six to 18 inches high and grow a bushy habit. They have single or double petals and are eye-catching. There are dwarf varieties of these plants as well. Another type called Little Hero produces double carnations that are two to three inches across.
Marigolds are easy to maintain:
Marigolds are easy to grow and maintain. They can be grown as perennials in USDA zones 9-11 or as annuals in cooler climates. Once planted, marigolds start blooming approximately 45 days after planting. They have many different colors, and they can be trimmed to make them more colorful.
Triploid hybrid marigolds:
Triploid hybrid marigolds are a hybrid of French and African marigolds. They have large, multicolored flowers and a long lifespan. However, they are not very easy to grow from seed. Their seeds have a low germination rate. These plants tend to flower after other types of marigolds have died or are inactive.
African Marigolds:
African Marigolds are the largest of the tall marigold varieties. They can grow up to 5 feet tall. Despite their name, these plants are not native to Africa. They are native to the Americas. Their blooms are pom-pom-like and are usually between four and five inches in diameter. These plants do best in sunny locations. Unlike their French cousins, African marigolds are drought-tolerant. They make sturdy and attractive plants for the garden.
Size of French Marigolds:
French Marigolds are smaller and bushier than African marigolds. They are six to 18 inches high and grow a bushy habit. They have single or double petals and are eye-catching. There are dwarf varieties of these plants as well. Another type called Little Hero produces double carnations that are two to three inches across.