While there are plenty of exceptional flowering plants,”there is one sunny stalwart that’s worth (more than) its weight in garden gold. This vibrant, fast-growing annual typically blooms from early summer until the first frost, keeping your garden looking cheerful for months on end. With beauty and benefits galore, we have plenty of praise for marigolds.
There are more than fifty species of marigolds, but three popular varieties for the home garden: African or Mexican marigolds (Tagetes erecta), French marigolds (Tagetes patula), and signet marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia). And because they do well most anywhere—USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 2 through 11 and Canada Plant Hardiness Zones 2 through 9—simply check with your local extension or garden center to find out which types grow best in your area.
Marigolds are identifiable by round flower heads with carnation-like petals in rich shades of primarily yellow, orange, or red. You can grow your own in a cutting garden for seasonal bouquets or Día de los Muertos celebrations.
honored & adorned
During the first two days in November, communities and families gather to celebrate and honor their loved ones who have passed away with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The traditional Mexican holiday has centuries-old origins that today reflect the country’s pre-Columbian Aztec culture and Roman Catholic traditions.
Día de los Muertos is said to be when spirits temporarily return to earth to reconnect with their family members. It’s a joy-filled homecoming, and the living welcome their ancestors with ofrendas (offerings). The tiered altars are adorned with photos, candles, food, representations of the four elements, and of course, marigolds (Tagetes erecta). The flowers’ musky fragrance and vibrant color play an important role in guiding the spirits home.
Want to learn more? Look for local community events meant for education or participation. Even if Día de los Muertos isn’t a tradition in your culture, the more (with honor and respect) the merrier.
The flower plays an important role in cultural traditions around the world, especially in Mexico and India.
When preparing to grow marigolds in your home garden, there are a few things to keep in mind from the experts at Green Acres Nursery and The Old Farmer’s Almanac. True to their sun-like bloom, the plant loves full sun—at least six hours a day—along with well-draining soil. Sow seeds as soon as it warms in spring, and water at the base of the plant throughout the growing season. As flowers die back, deadhead to encourage new growth.
A much-loved marigold feature is its ability to repel pests with its fragrance and attract pollinators with its color. The valuable companion plant is great in a vegetable garden and ideal near tomatoes, but keep them away from legumes. While most varieties of marigolds aren’t edible for humans, keep in mind that garden bandits like rabbits and deer love them.
The good news? Even though most marigolds are annuals, they are prolific reseeders and may come back next year with little effort on your part. But if you want to give them a boost, deadhead the blooms and rub them between your hands or fingers, encouraging seeds to drop and spread. Let them fall straight into the garden or set them aside to dry and share with fellow gardeners.
