Common Name: French marigold
Type: Annual
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 2 to 11
Height: 0.75 to 1.00 feet
Spread: 0.50 to 0.75 feet
Bloom Time: June to frost
Bloom Description: Various shades of yellow, coral-pink, and deep red
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Annual
Flower: Showy, Fragrant, Good Cut
Leaf: Fragrant
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer
Culture
Annual. Easily grown in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as St. Louis. Sow seed directly in the garden at last frost date. For earlier bloom, start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date or purchase plants in cell/six packs from local nurseries. Set plants out after last frost date. Pinch young plants to promote bushy growth. Promptly deadhead spent flowers. Flowering may decrease considerably in the heat of the summer, but will resume as cooler weather arrives.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tagetes patula, commonly called French marigold, is a compact annual that typically grow 6-12” tall and feature single, semi-double, double or crested, fragrant flowers (1-2” diameter) in shades of yellow, orange, red and bicolor. Pinnate leaves with toothed, lance-shaped leaflets are aromatic.
Genus named for an Etruscan deity, Tages.
Specific epithet means spreading.
'Strawberry Blonde' is a floriferous selection of French marigold that features fragrant, double flowers in various shades of yellow, coral-pink, and deep red. Mature plants will reach up to 12" tall and 8" wide.
Problems
Susceptible to powdery mildew, Botrytis, leaf spot and rots. Watch for spider mites and thrips. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Beds, edgings, containers. Good cut flowers.