Annuals Dictionary: Tagetes
Daisy family
Compositae
Tay-gee’teez. Marigold . A group of about 30 species of annual herbs, all native from N. Mex. to Argentina, not from Africa or France as implied by the common names African Marigold and French Marigold. The name “marigold” is commonly applied to several different kinds of plants in addition to Tagetes . The best known are the Pot Marigold ( Calendula ), the Cape Marigold ( Dimorphotheca ), and the Sea Marigold ( Mesembryanthemum ).
Description
Leaves strong-scented, mostly opposite and usually finely dissected. Flowerheads showy, solitary, or clustered. Below each head is a series of involucral bracts, united into a cuplike base.
How to Grow
Most of the species below are easy to grow from seeds sown outdoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost. Allow room to expand. They do well with enriched soil and full sun, except in the South and Southwest, where afternoon shade will prolong bloom. Triploid hybrids of T. erecta and T. patula have a low germination rate. Start seeds indoors at 65-70° F (18.5-21.0° C), 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost. Set out when the soil is warm. All kinds prefer warm weather.
Tagetes erecta
African Marigold ; Aztec Marigold ; American Marigold . 18-36 in. (45-90 cm) high, branched and bushy. Flowerheads 2-6 in. (5-15 cm) wide, yellow or orange, the rays with a long claw, or even quilled in some forms. The stalk of the head is swollen just below the cluster. Mexico. Numerous cultivars, with large double flowers. There are also many new triploid hybrid forms derived from T. erecta and T. patula . Bred for early flowers that last up to frost, these hybrids also include white and mahogany-red blooms. Half-hardy annual.
Tagetes patula
French Marigold . To 18 in. (45 cm) high, much-branched. Flowerheads 2-3 in. (5.0-7.5 cm) wide, the numerous rays yellow with red markings. Mexico and Guatemala. There are many cultivars, ranging from pure yellow to nearly pure red, most with double or crested blossoms. Dwarf varieties are useful for edging. Half-hardy annual.
Tagetes tenuifolia
Dwarf Marigold ; Signet Marigold . To 12 in. (30 cm) high. Flowers yellow or orange, 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide. Mexico and Central America. Many cultivars are available, the most commonly grown belonging to the ‘Pumila’ group of dwarf forms. Half-hardy annual.