My favourite short varieties are' Naughty Marietta' and 'Honeycomb' (from Mr Fothergill's), 'Solan' (from Thompson & Morgan) and 'Queen Sophia' (from Suttons) and these are perfect among loose-leaf lettuces. Great for cutting with long thick stems, they last well in the vase and bring some fall color to bouquets. Temperature Minimum temperature for growing marigolds is 10°C. African Marigolds produce large (up to 5"), solitary , single or double, Daisy-like flowers in shades of orange or yellow. Put your cuts into a clean bucket with lukewarm water. The big, fully double ball-shaped blossoms are about 3” wide and come in bright lemon yellow, brilliant orange, gold, and cream  They are sold as either African, American, or Crackerjack Marigolds. For more on how to keep mosquitoes away naturally, see 12 Mosquito Repellent Plants. I grow the marigolds that go by the name of African, American, or Crackerjack Marigold. Marigolds are one of the most popular  annual flowers in the world. 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. ... it doesn’t produce as much thiophene as some others. French marigolds stand 6 to 12 inches tall and spread about 6 to 9 inches wide. April is the perfect month to sow African marigold seeds. They do well as bedding plants, bordering planters, or lining vegetable gardens. The petals can be dried to use as a festive garnish for winter use,  or to add prettiness to homemade teas. My question is: how tall do marigolds typically grow … The petals are edible,too! This means a prepared bed with some compost worked in. Take the petals in one hand, twist to tear them from the base of the flower, and sprinkle over salads or  to use as a pretty garnish. French marigolds rarely grow more than 12 inches tall and most … Antigua is a must in any discussion of this flower. When to plant African marigolds. Sow African marigold seeds in trays indoors. Just as other marigolds, they grow best in a spot that is sunny and warm. French and signet types can be planted anytime through midsummer but the tall American marigolds are best planted right away in the spring because they are slower to mature. or so. How to grow marigolds Cultivation. Mix that with the single maroon and yellow 'Striped Marvel' to create summer razzle-dazzle. 3. If deadheaded regularly, African marigold plants will usually produce many large blooms. They have larger blossoms, but their flowering period is shorter than French Marigolds. African marigolds have large flower heads (up to 5 inches across) on plants that grow from 10 to 36 inches tall, making them good for fresh cutting. Vanilla produces ruffled double blooms in a … These plants are ideal for the back of a flower bed combined with coreopsis, coneflower and other tall perennials and annuals. This will result in a uniform display. Both varieties produce lovely orange, yellow and red flowerheads from spring through fall for dazzling color all summer long. Marigolds are available in several types, from the taller African marigolds that do well in drought, to the […] They may reseed, coming back year after year, in spots where they're happy. Name: marigold, French marigold, African marigold, signet marigold, Tagetes erecta, Tagetes patula, Tagetes tenufolia – not to be confused with the calendula genus, which are frequently called marigolds but are actually in the daisy family. Tall varieties can be used as background plantings. At 1 – 3 feet tall, the African marigold is deer resistant and sure to be a showstopper. They are often wider than they are tall. These flowers are used in bouquets, can be made into festive garlands, and are often used in India for ceremonies. They will germinate in three to five days in temperatures above 65°F. How To Plant, Grow and Care For Marigolds Marigolds do not need much care once they are established and produce a display of colorful blooms in your garden for long time. Plant African marigolds to encourage beneficial hoverflies into your garden. Spacing Grow your tall Marigold varieties 40cm apart and the dwarf varieties 20cm apart to give room to the growing branches. African marigolds are tall, dramatic, intensely colored marigolds. Then bring them into a cool, darkish place to sit for 8 hrs. French marigolds are smaller and bushier, with flowers up to 2 inches across on plants that are 6 to 18 inches tall. Once the larvae emerge they eat hundreds of aphids and they keep your cabbages, lettuces, fruit and beans free of pests. Also known as Aztec or American marigolds, these plants have very large blooms; therefore, they are perfect for floral arrangements, decoration, and even bouquets. They thrive under hot, dry conditions. Val Bourne is an award-winning garden writer, photographer and lecturer. / 01 July 2014. Some don’t like this, but I love it. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. How to Keep Marigolds From Getting Too Leggy When Growing Them From Seed. Height: varies according to variety, from 10cm to 1m. But see harvesting below. Marigolds grow best in moist, well-drained and fertile soil. They are branching, upright plants that can grow 18" to 36" tall. Marigolds are not at all big behemoths, with the “tallest” being those African/American/Mexican Marigolds at just around three to four feet. Tall marigolds ( Tagetes erecta ) grow anywhere from 15 inches to 4 feet tall … African marigolds are excellent bedding plants. The African Marigold is sometimes called an American or Aztec Marigold. This variety will grow to reach about eighteen inches in height and sheds water from its flowerheads more easily than other African marigolds. How Do I Cultivate Marigolds? They can grow over 2 feet tall and have flowers that are 5 inches across. The plant grows 12 inches tall with many branching stems. 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. They grow best in full sun and actually seem to prefer poor soil. This type of marigold is concise, as they only grow up to 18 inches tall. It has large, bright blooms and grows taller than some other varieties. My marigold flower is currently 6.5cm tall. Like to advertise with us? African marigolds are often called American marigolds. Growing African marigolds or French marigolds around vegetable gardens to r… African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) grow up to 3 feet tall with blooms up to 5 inches across. Easy-to-grow and providing a nice range of colors, the Antigua series is probably what comes to mind when people imagine these blooms. Basics Ease of Growing Easy Grown as Annual Days to Maturity 50-60 (Spring/Summer) Growing Habit-Hardiness The tall ones happened to grow well in Africa, and the short types grew well in France. They also have larger flowers that can be up to 6 inches in diameter. Great for cutting with long thick stems, they last well in the vase and bring some fall color to bouquets. African Marigolds. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation. Find out how to grow these cheerful orange annuals. Find out more about encouraging helpful insects into your garden. Both almost always produce orange or yellow flowers. Val Bourne I may typically water once a week, once they are established. Add a little organic flower fertilizer worked into the planting hole when planting out. Cut the stems as low as you can to a node with little buds. African/American Marigolds (T. erecta) are taller plants that can grow to be 3' tall. I haven’t grown the cream. However, the African varieties are tall (18 inches) and make nice cut flowers. They are one of the popular African flowers. Give your garden a makeover and save money at the same time with a special Thompson and Morgan offer of 10% off. It reminds me of being in my grandmothers’s summer flower garden and discovering that some plants have foliage with quite a fragran. If that means your stems are too long, just cut the excess off after harvesting. How do Marigolds Benefit the Garden? I like the yellow and the orange. This way new stems can grow and be long and strong enough for another set of quality flowers. With many different species, marigolds can vary significantly from one another, with some as small as 10 cm in height and other that grow up to 2.2 meters tall. Their flowers are typically 2 to 3 inches across. Easy to follow step by step guide to show you how to grow beautiful marigolds from seeds. They also may be called Giant Marigold. Please get in touch, plants|summer garden|autumn garden|garden advice & tips|garden ideas|fruit & veg|garden wildlife, encouraging helpful insects into your garden. Marigolds are suitable for borders near sidewalks and driveways due to their high heat tolerance, although be sure to water them regularly. The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. They are sometimes known as African, or American, marigolds. Flowers may measure up to 5 inches across. What you need to know about marigolds. Although adult hoverflies only drink nectar and feed on pollen their larvae are aphid-eating predators. I also like to use taller varieties and the frilly mixture of doubles and singles in 'Bo Jangle' (only available from Sutton's) is my all-time favourite. They do best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil and will flower all summer long. French Marigolds. This conditions them and gives them a longer vase life. Sowing directly into the garden establishes the root systems right away, but spacing is controlled better when starting with seedlings from cells. They grow to 3-3 ½ ft. tall. Marigolds need a sunny position, ... (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. April is the perfect month to sow African marigold seeds. Hi, I'm growing marigolds in science class, and we were asked how tall do we think our plant will grow. The simple marigold (Tagetes) is one of the most popular flowers in the home garden for a number of reasons. How to plant. Ordinary garden soil is fine for these. African Marigold Varieties and Considerations African marigolds grow 1.5 to 2 feet tall and spread 1 to 1.5 feet wide, with green stems and green, fern-like foliage. It’s not as pretty as the others. Marigolds are a type of plant in the sunflower family. They are excellent for planting among taller plants in need of pollination. They may be sown directly into the garden in the garden by mid to late May and you’d get flowers sometime in August for nice fall color for your garden. French marigolds tend to be frilly and some boast a distinctive "crested eye." Hoverflies obligingly lay their eggs close to colonies. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are smaller plants with a bushy, mounded form. African marigolds are taller at 1 to 4 feet with a 2-foot spread. Question about your subscription? Marigolds will not bloom but, instead, will go to seed early if they “think” their job is done for the season. Elegant and eye-catching, they have relatively demure flowers and usually grow from 6 inches to 2 feet tall. Plant or transplant young marigold plants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed and dried out a bit. Tall African marigolds have small flowers but can grow up to 3’ tall. Sowing marigolds. African Marigolds – The African marigold is also known as the Aztec or American marigold. Also called American marigolds or Aztec marigolds, African marigolds are annuals that bloom from early summer until frost. I believe these are all the exact same. African marigolds (Tagetes erecta): These marigolds have large, double flowers from midsummer to frost. Val Bourne admires African marigolds - and reveals why they make a very useful companion plant for fruits and vegetables. Bushy T. patula, or French marigolds, are somewhat smaller and more compact. Large-flowered African marigolds are fairly short, at between 12-14” tall, but as the name suggests have very large blossoms (up to 3.5” inches in diameter). African marigolds can be white, cream, yellow, red, or orange. They have a distinctive resiny, citrusy smell in the foliage. Pests – Most pests aren’t attracted to marigolds, but spider mites may be a problem, especially in dry, dusty conditions. Once they germinate, prick them out and plant them outside from mid-May onwards - after the fear of frost has passed. I give these 18” x 18” spacing in my beds. How Big Can Marigolds Grow? Water regularly, but dry out between waterings once the plants are established. They grow to 3-3 ½ ft. tall. They have purple-tinged stems with double flower heads in yellow, orange, and mahogany that are about 2 … They grow roughly 8-12 inches high with a chic, neat, little growth habit and elegant dark green foliage. They can grow as tall as 36 inches. African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) make excellent companion plants for vegetables and fruit because their flowers are adored by hoverflies. African (Tagetes erecta) – Tall plants with pom-pom double flowers in yellow and ... Marigolds are easy to grow from seed and the French variety will bloom all summer until the ... marigolds do not require light to germinate. There are 50 species of marigolds but 4 most common species are grown commercially: African or American marigolds (Tagetes erecta), French marigolds (T. patula), sweet-scented marigolds (T. lucida) and signet marigolds (T. enuifolia).African marigold (Tagetes erecta):The African marigold is also known … Follow the following tips to get your marigolds bloom for several months. French Marigolds (Tagetes patula): French marigolds are one of the longest, most prolific blooming marigold varieties.These tend to be short, bushy plants, although they can grow from 5 – 18 inches tall. How to Grow and Care Marigolds Complete guide Types of marigolds. The days to maturity (flowering) is 70-90 days, so it’s good to start them early in cells or containers. Alternatively you can buy ready-grown trays of African marigolds from garden centres. These are well-branching plants needing no pruning. Of all the marigold varieties, French marigolds and African marigolds are widely cultivated. African marigolds actually come from sunny Mexico despite their name and (as you would expect) these half hardy annuals enjoy warm, bright conditions. African marigolds are taller and more tolerant of hot, dry conditions than French marigolds. African marigolds are tall, dramatic, intensely colored marigolds. Grow marigolds in containers on patios, porches, or near seating areas to help deter mosquitoes. Tagetes erecta (aka African marigolds, American marigolds, or Mexican marigolds): This species is the tallest and most upright marigold, reaching 3 to 4 feet in height and producing large, full flowers. Flowers naturally occur in gold, orange, yellow, and white, often with darker red … The gold, where still available, tends to be semi-double, not fully double. Sow African marigold seeds in trays indoors. Once they germinate, prick them out and plant them outside from mid-May onwards - after the fear of frost has passed. For contrast, even hibiscuses, which are similarly small flowering plants, can grow to sizes of several times larger.