You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
There are several different flowers known as "marigolds" that belong to distinct genera: Bidens tripartita, 'bur marigold' , Caltha palustris, 'marsh marigold', Calendula officinalis, 'Pot marigold'. The marigolds discussed here are species of the genus Tagetes. They are mainly hardy annuals that are yellow, gold, orange and mahogany, sometimes red or white. Marigolds are indigenous to the American Southwest, to Mexico, and to South America, but they were spread throughout the world by early colonists.Two types are commonly known: African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are tall. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are low growing. Neither type is native to Africa or France. There are about 50 different species of marigolds within the genus Tagetes. A few of them will be discussed here.
One of the quintiscential experiences of my life was the 70 mile drive between Santa Barbara and Vandenberg Air Force Base where I worked in the 1960s. Driving north over Santa Ynez mountains there is a panoramic view of the Floradale Farms Burpee flower fields, Floradale Farms, at Lompoc [pronounced "lom poke"], California. Huge fields of red, orange, lavender, pink, and yellow were the test gardens of the Atlee Burpee company. The Burpee company favored the marigold in developing new hybrids. In 1954 the company sponsored a contest for the production of the first white marigold. The $10,000 prize went to Alice Volk of Iowa for the first all white marigold, Snowbird.
Today, white marigolds are widely available [1]. In this season's catalog, the Burpee Company offers 23 cultivars, including four all white marigolds [2].
In 1960 David Burpee championed marigold as the national flower and registered himself as a lobbyist in Washington D.C. to promote marigolds. Burpee convinced Illinois Senator Everette Dirkson, who at first favored the corn tassle, to support the marigold. Senator Dirkson's speech to nominate the marigold as the national flower became one of the classic speeches of American history [3]. Propoponents supporting the rose and the national flower, however, won out.
An annual five-day Marigold Festival is held annually at Pekin, Illinois in honor of Sen. Everett Dirkson [4]. Festivals featuring marigold date at least to the time of Aztecs in Mexico. As marigolds were introduced around the world they were incorporated in National festivals as far away as India. Marigolds were introduced to India by early Portuguese colonists and today are produced in commerically for use in traditional Indian festivals.
As marigolds were introduced around the world by Portuguese and Spanish colonists in the 16th century, they were embraced and accepted into the deepest part of every culture. In India marigolds became the symbolic flower used in religious ceremonies, weddings, and festivals. Temples are draped with marigolds strung into garlands [5].
The demand is so great, that marigold production has become a major commercial enterprise in that country [6].
The main types produced for Indian markets are Tagetes erecta (African Marigold), Tagetes patula (French marigold) and Tagetes tenuifolia (Striped Marigold) [7].
There are some 50 species of marigolds within the genus Tagetes. The most common marigolds found in markets are Tagetes petula, French Marigolds and Tagetes Erecta or hybrids between these two species [8].
AFRICAN MARIGOLDS
The modern African marigold, Tagetes erecta, grows to around 36 inches tall usually with double ball-shaped flowers. They have a distinctively unpleasant scent.
Wild Tagetes erecta, like this one offered by Seeds of Change, may have single orange flowers and grow into a large shrub.
Tagetes erecta, Cempoalxochitl marigold is a wild marigold from Oaxaca, Mexico. This is the marigold used to honor the Aztecs in the Day of the Dead
festival, El Dia de los Muertos, November 1st [9]. It grows into a shrub 5 ft tall and 4 ft wide. According to the catalog description, it has a "richly intense aroma".
The distinctive scent of marigolds is due to the substance turpene which they contain. But not all marigolds have a distasteful scent. In fact some marigolds produce oils that are used in the manufacture of perfume.
6. Tagetes erecta 'Sweet Cream'
3. Tagetes erecta 'Simba'
4. Tagetes erecta 'Inca II Primrose'
5. Tagetes erecta 'Eskimo'
2. Tagetes erecta. Antigua Mix
7. Tagetes erecta 'French Vanilla'
FRENCH MARIGOLDS
French Marigolds are colorful low growing plants that are sometimes grown among vegetables because they deter root knot nematode [10]. The best method for preventing nematodes is to grow the marigolds and turn them under, then plant the nematode susceptible plants the following season. French marigolds grow to 6 to 8 inches high and have 2 inch flowers. Burpee Nema-gone French Marigold [7] was designed for this purpose. French marigolds, like most marigolds, are especially attractive to butterflies. The hybrids, though, do not produce enough pollen to attract butterflies [11].
8. Tagetes petula 'Little Hero Fire'
9. Tagetes petula 'Disco Red'
10. Tagetes petula 'Moonlight'
11. Tagetes petula 'Janie flame'
12. Tagetes petula 'Harlequin'
13. Tagetes petula 'Durango Red'
Signet marigolds, Tagetes tenuifolia (or Tagetes Signata) are small delicate plants to around 8 inches tall with lemon-scented foliage and a citrus flavor. The flowers which may be yellow, orange, rust, or red, are edible and the plant have a spicy tarragon flavor. Examples are 'Golden Gem' and 'Lemon Gem'. The flowers are edible and may be served in herbal salads [12]. Like most marigolds, signet marigolds are attractive to butterflies.
14. Tagetes tenuifolia 'Lemon Gem'
15. Tagetes tenuifolia 'Paprika Gem'
16. Tagetes tenuifolia 'Golden Gem'
Tagetes filifolia 'Irish Lace Marigold' has lacy leaves and tiny white flowers [13]. Tagetes lemmonii, 'Mountain Marigold' is also called the lemon-scented or tangerine-scented marigold. It is native to canyons of Southern Arizona. The leaves of the plant have a strong scent of mint and lemon. The plant grows to about 3 ft. (photograph at left)
17. Tagetes lemmonii 'Mountain Marigold'
Tagetes lucida, 'Spanish tarragon' has the scent of licorice or anise and can be used as a substitute for French Tarragon in cooking [14]. (photograph left).
Tagetes lucida 'Ansata', Sweet Marigold, Licorice, is a low growing marigold, growing 12 in height with a spread of 18 inches [15]. It has tiny golden flowers on lime green foliage. This marigold is also called Mexican Mint or Spanish tarragon [16].
Tagetes minuta, Nematocidal marigold is used in site preparation to deter nematodes and also for its antiviral properties for plant diseases [17]. There is a patent of the antiviral properties of the oil extracted from Tagetes minuta[18]. Oil extracted from Tagetes minuta is both a fragrance (citrus), an anti-inflamatory used to treat wounds and skin infections, and an insect repellent [19].
Marigolds are very easy to grow. Just direct sow in average soil in a sunny place after all danger of frost. Dead head spent blooms to keep them coming.
18. Tagetes lucida 'Spanish Tarragon'
Several years ago the Burpee company tested an marketed a series of odorless marigolds. Marigold lovers rejected the idea. People who love marigolds think they should smell like marigolds.
Burpee Online Catalog. Marigold Seeds and Marigold Plants for sale. W. Atlee Burpee & Co.
Senator Everette Dirkson's Speech to Nominate Marigold as National Flower. In: William Safire. 1997. Lend Me Your Ears: Speeches in History. Norton Company, Inc.
Annual Marigold Festival at Pekin, Illinois. Historic Peoria.
Indian temple decorated with marigold garlands. PlantCultures.
Gupta, Y. G, Y. D. Sharma, N.S. Pathania. September 9, 2002. let the flower of the gods bless you. The Tribune, Chandigarh, India. Agriculture Tribune.
Clare Hagen Dole. No. 20, Spring 1999. Butterfly Gardener's Quarterly. A Newsletter for Gardeners and Butterfly Enthusiasts. Marigolds: Best Varieties for butterflies. The butterfly website.
Kell. September 26, 2003. Tagetes petula. 'Harlequin'. Plant Files.
Per Annes Annuals where I bought this plant: "this antique Marigold from 1870 is enjoying a revival in England where it is very popular as a cut flower. Each eye catching mahogany-red petal is distinctively divided by a yellow stripe. The bush 24-36 inch tall uniform plant produces lots of blooms" And its true! A fun plant.
I am a retired archeologist and curator of an historic house museum. I live in Greensboro, Alabama, a small rural historic Southern town, with my two dogs, a rabbit and (by recent count) two cats. I am upgrading a 100 year old neoclassic house and clearing and planting my two-and-one-half acre property. Of plants, I love roses best of all.
Posted by mamoriah (from Maitland, FL) on May 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM:
Thank you so much for the education regarding marigolds! Did you find anything in your research that would inidicate that marigolds repel unwanted insects [mosquitoes, roaches, etc.]? Thanks again! "Ma"
...
Subject: Tagetes lemmonii
Posted by ashjuniper (from Austin, TX) on May 16, 2008 at 12:01 AM:
Here in central Texas T.lemmonii is called "Copper Canyon Daisy". In zone 8-9 it is perennial and forms a large 3-4' shrub that covers itself with charming small yellow flowers for a couple of months in the fall. It is, as are many Tagetes species, very deer resistant (almost deer proof).
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 16, 2008 at 9:09 AM:
Thanks for the information, Ashjuniper.
...
Subject: AWESOME
Posted by pearlsanna (from Bridgetown
(Barbados)) on May 14, 2008 at 8:19 PM:
Hi Gloria thanks for the lovely pictures. I never dreamed there were so many colours and kinds of marigolds. I really am very impressed. Thanks for sharing the information. i will look out for your articles in future, splendid job!!!
i especially love the simba and the french vanilla.
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 14, 2008 at 9:01 PM:
pearlsanna: thanks for reading my article!
Can you grow camellias where you are? I did write an article about them.
...
Subject: Marigolds as animal deterrent
Posted by ivesco (from Monterey, MA) on May 12, 2008 at 4:32 PM:
Is it the African marigold that is thought to be effective in discouraging rabbits and chipmunks from munching on the veggie garden? Or, can you suggest the best marigold for this purpose?
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 12, 2008 at 4:54 PM:
I did not find any reference in my research that marigolds repel rabbits.
There is some information that rabbits will eat marigolds.
There are some commercial repellents. Otherwise, I would suggest a physical barrier, and a patch of something they like far away from the veggie patch.
...
Subject: Distasteful? Perhaps pungent, distinct
Posted by EleanorZRuch (from Hatfield, PA) on May 12, 2008 at 8:03 AM:
By the scent of marigolds, I gather you mean the scent of the bruised foliage. Some plant scents such as this I describe as pungent. (Just checked the meaning and believe it DOES fit. Actually one of the meanings is "mentally stimulating or appealing as in pungent wit.) The scent of marigold, geranium, chrysanthemum and lantana all fall into a special category. They all remind me of the scent of my dad returning from a day in the greenhouses...a vivid emotional memory carried by the distinctive fragrance. Tomato greens have a similar type of scent. The Dahlberg Daisy is another....such an overlooked beauty!
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 12, 2008 at 8:53 AM:
How interesting to be aware of all those 'fragrances'.
Some marigold essential oil is actually used in perfume, so there are some 'notes' in there that the scent people appreciate!
...
Subject: Great
Posted by phicks (from Lakeland, FL) on May 11, 2008 at 8:21 PM:
Great Article and Great Pictures Paul
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 11, 2008 at 8:26 PM:
Thanks, Paul!
The pictures are from Plant Files. It is so much easier to write an article when you can find a picture right here on DG to support what you are talking about.
...
Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on May 12, 2008 at 12:03 AM:
I didn't know there were that many kinds, or that they were edible--imagine that, the deer won't eat 'em, but we can! Very interesting, thanks.
...
Subject: Great article
Posted by Lenjo (from Mount Angel, OR) on May 11, 2008 at 9:05 AM:
Gloria , wonderful, great article. The lowly marigold is really an awesome plant; so easy and reliable, rain doesn't spoil them like a petunia.Thanks.
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on May 11, 2008 at 9:54 AM:
Kudos to you, Gloria, for a wonderful article. I have always loved the ease of marigolds but had no idea what kind I was growing or why. Now I know! Thank you!!!
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 11, 2008 at 10:13 AM:
"lowly marigold". I guess sometimes people do equate it with the dandelion. It is probably the first flower seed that many people plant as soon as baby fingers can hold the seeds.
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on May 11, 2008 at 10:44 AM:
Never like a dandelion, no. Most people don't plant dandelions. I don't think Burpee has a Dandelion research division! (Except for the Get Rid of Dandelions division.)
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 11, 2008 at 10:57 AM:
Carrie; by referring to dandelion, I meant 'common yellow flower'.
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 11, 2008 at 11:38 AM:
You always paint a picture with your words. I love your description of your 70 mile drive.
And marigolds, well, I was the marigold seed planter when I was a child, sometimes it was the most successful crop in the veggie garden. Summer just isn't complete without marigolds.
Thank you for another great article.
...
Posted by Lenjo (from Mount Angel, OR) on May 11, 2008 at 4:07 PM:
Lowly , Gloria, in the sense it is so common and nothing exotic , humble might be a better word. Humble but yet such glorious color that lasts and lasts. I 'rediscovered' marigolds again a couple of years ago. After trying so many other exotic things I have returned to growing marigolds because of their reliability.
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 11, 2008 at 4:18 PM:
I haven't tried the striped ones, and I haven't tried the signets which are supposed to be more delicate. If not for their beauty, they are still good to plant to get rid of nematodes.
...
Posted by dmac085 (from Greensboro, NC) on May 11, 2008 at 8:23 PM:
Loved the article and more importantly it makes me want to give marigolds another try. I don't care for the stuff you find at the garden centers so I'm going to looks at Seed Savers and Seeds of Change for some of the other varieties. Thanks:)
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 11, 2008 at 8:29 PM:
dmac. you might find some right here on DG among the seed swappers. Burpee is always a good source since they really started the marigold business. But the old OP species are the kind you want for getting rid of nematodes although the little "French" ones work also.
Works best to plant where marigolds were the previous season for nematode control.
thanks for your comments.
gloria
...
Posted by Lenjo (from Mount Angel, OR) on May 11, 2008 at 8:46 PM:
I have done the disco red and it was stunning. Stokes has great inexpensive seed too. This year I am doing Tangerine Gem.
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 11, 2008 at 9:49 PM:
My favorite is Queen Sophia.
...
Posted by dmac085 (from Greensboro, NC) on May 11, 2008 at 10:14 PM:
Thanks:) I sort of got into the plant co-op whirlwind this year so I forgot about the seed trading! Thanks for reminding me.
I think I do have Tangerine Gem and Disco Red...I should get some started this week:)
...
Posted by davis1676 (from Disputanta, VA) on May 11, 2008 at 11:15 PM:
I had no idea of the variety or uses of this perfect little flower, I've loved for years. I can't wait to try some different types & colors in my garden this season. Thanks for all the detail & effort you went to, in creating such a great article.
...
Posted by Sundownr (from Wytheville, VA) on May 11, 2008 at 11:28 PM:
I love marigolds! I enjoyed your article and learned much. Thanks!
