Crackerjack African Marigold

[Jukebox Actual]

Jukebox Actual submitted a new garden item:

Crackerjack African Marigold - Tall variety, yellow - orange color range, heat/drought tolerant, pollinator friendly

About:
Although named after the continent of Africa, these flowers are native to Central and South America. The misleading name is often attributed to the African trade routes in which they were traded heavily via. Known as one of the tallest varieties of marigold on the market, they often reach between 24" - 36" tall. The flowers themselves are typically a variety of vibrant yellows/golds/oranges and range from 3" - 5" in diameter.

Planting...

Read more about this garden item...

 

[Mike]

Sounds like something that would grow perfect around here, and might even help keep some of the veggie eating insects away! I know it wasn't the purpose of the article, but I actually didn't realize ladybugs ate other bugs until reading this. I thought they ate the leaves so any time we saw a ladybug last year we took it out of the garden. So, yeah, now I feel like a bit of an idiot.

I'll have to look around and see if I can find some of these marigold seeds once they start putting them out. If so, I'll plant some around the exterior of the garden and see how they do. We plant some marigolds at work, so I do know how well they work at attracting bees. Between the marigolds and the zinnias, our flower beds are covered in bees every morning! With this being a larger variety, they probably do an even better job bringing in those pollinators!

Thanks for sharing! Assuming I can find some of these seeds, you've definitely helped me figure out a new thing for the ol' garden this year.

 

[Meadowlark]

This is but one variety of African Marigolds. There are about four generally recognized types of marigolds each with different varieties in them.

French Marigolds (Tagetes patula)​

• Description: Compact, bushy plants with flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
• Size: Typically 6-12 inches tall.
• Best For: Edging and containers, as well as attracting pollinators.

African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta)​

• Description: Taller plants with large, pom-pom-like flowers in yellow and orange.
• Size: Can grow up to 36 inches tall.
• Best For: Flower beds, borders, and cutting gardens.

Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia)​

• Description: Delicate, lacy foliage with small, single flowers in yellow and orange.
• Size: Around 12 inches tall.
• Best For: Herb gardens and containers, edible petals add a spicy flavor to dishes.

Triploid Marigolds​

• Description: Hybrid variety with flowers in a range of bright colors.
• Size: Typically 12-18 inches tall.
• Best For: Garden beds and borders, very robust and disease-resistant.

I prefer the French Marigolds for garden companion planting. The African Marigolds I like for flower beds. They all are very good at attracting pollinators, however, in my experience their ability to repel insects is overrated.

 

[big rockpile]

Sounds like something that would grow perfect around here, and might even help keep some of the veggie eating insects away! I know it wasn't the purpose of the article, but I actually didn't realize ladybugs ate other bugs until reading this. I thought they ate the leaves so any time we saw a ladybug last year we took it out of the garden. So, yeah, now I feel like a bit of an idiot.

I'll have to look around and see if I can find some of these marigold seeds once they start putting them out. If so, I'll plant some around the exterior of the garden and see how they do. We plant some marigolds at work, so I do know how well they work at attracting bees. Between the marigolds and the zinnias, our flower beds are covered in bees every morning! With this being a larger variety, they probably do an even better job bringing in those pollinators!

Thanks for sharing! Assuming I can find some of these seeds, you've definitely helped me figure out a new thing for the ol' garden this year.

African won't work you need French .

big rockpile

 

[big rockpile]

This is but one variety of African Marigolds. There are about four generally recognized types of marigolds each with different varieties in them.

French Marigolds (Tagetes patula)​

• Description: Compact, bushy plants with flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
• Size: Typically 6-12 inches tall.
• Best For: Edging and containers, as well as attracting pollinators.

African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta)​

• Description: Taller plants with large, pom-pom-like flowers in yellow and orange.
• Size: Can grow up to 36 inches tall.
• Best For: Flower beds, borders, and cutting gardens.

Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia)​

• Description: Delicate, lacy foliage with small, single flowers in yellow and orange.
• Size: Around 12 inches tall.
• Best For: Herb gardens and containers, edible petals add a spicy flavor to dishes.

Triploid Marigolds​

• Description: Hybrid variety with flowers in a range of bright colors.
• Size: Typically 12-18 inches tall.
• Best For: Garden beds and borders, very robust and disease-resistant.

I prefer the French Marigolds for garden companion planting. The African Marigolds I like for flower beds. They all are very good at attracting pollinators, however, in my experience their ability to repel insects is overrated.

This is true I had Marigolds, Basil and Garlic in my Garden still had White Flies and Tomato Worms.

big rockpile