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Marigold Links:
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They don't come much easier than the common marigold. It's
a plant that will stand up to the hot summer sun and smile back with its
own sunny yellow, orange, or bronzed-hued face.
Marigolds can laugh at bugs too. One sniff of its pungent
leaves and most insects head for the next county. In fact, some people plant
them around more vulnerable flowers in order to act as a natural insect repellent. This is known as companion planting. There is even a bug spray made from the plant. Marigold bug spray
Marigolds can bloom all summer especially if you keep the spent
flowers from going to seed by plucking them. You can encourage their growth by giving them manure tea or liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks. Marigolds are grown in masses, along border bed and in containers.
The plants are easy to grow from seed and are also available in
six packs from every garden center. There are basically two types of marigolds, shorter, more commonly grown French marigolds and taller African marigolds. (see below) Put them in a sunny spot and they will
grow from 12 to 18 inches and bloom a riot until Jack Frost calls an end
to the party. Starting marigolds from seeds is also a fine way to introduce children to gardening. Save some of the seeds and plant them next year if you want to demonstrate how flowers are a plant's way of making new plants. Tagetes Varieties of Marigold
Tall--"African" or "Aztec" Marigolds--Large flowers in late summer to fall, orange or yellow; plants attain heights of 3 feet or more and spread 3 feet; space plants 14 inches apart in groups of threes; should be staked or caged. If not supported they can split down the middle. "Antigua series" marigolds grow 12 to 16 inches tall. They are compact with a mounded garden habit with blooms covering the entire plant. The fully double, 3-inch flower heads bloom well above the foliage. Antiguas are available in a rich gold, orange, soft pastel yellow and a bright, clear yellow.
"Crush series" marigolds grow 10 to 12 inches tall. The plants are extra dwarf, with 4-inch flowers. Colors include Papaya, a bright gold, Pineapple, bright yellow, and Pumpkin. "Aurora series" is an early bushy type for warm, humid climates. Colors include gold, light yellow, red, orange and brilliant yellow with red base.
French Marigolds-- Tagetes patula-- "French" Marigolds--Used primarily as a bedding plant; short to medium height (8 to 16 inches and same width) spacing 6 to 12 inches; flowers are large, up to 2 inches in diameter; varieties include some flowers which are doubled. "Bonanza series" marigolds grow only 8 to 10 inches tall. All blooms have the protruding crested “eye. ” Colors include a mahogany red with orange center, bright golden orange, yellow flecked with red and a rich golden yellow.
"Bounty series" marigolds grow 10 to 12 inches tall with 2-inch flowers. This marigold is dwarf, compact and does well in hot, humid summer weather. The flowers are borne above the foliage in gold or orange.
"Little Hero series" marigolds grow 8 inches tall with 2-inch double flowers. The heat tolerant-plants remain compact throughout the summer. Colors include gold, flame, red, yellow, and orange.
"Safari series" marigolds have 3-inch anemone-type flowers on compact plants. They grow to 14 inches tall with yellow, tangerine, orange, scarlet and mixed gold and mahogony flowers.
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