How to Grow and Care for French Marigolds Tagetes patula
There are marigolds, and then there are French marigolds.
The mounding, full, and frilly display of these fantastic flowers is a staple in gardens across the country – and no wonder, because it would be hard to find a flower this bold that is easier to grow.
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Plus, it returns year after year as a perennial in some circumstances, without becoming invasive. And it’s pretty hard to beat the intensity of color that these blossoms show off for most of the summer and fall.
While you can grow a beautiful display from any of the various species, French marigolds have something a little special going for them. We’ll discuss that and more, coming up.
Here’s what you can expect:
Cut flowers, yarn dye, nematode control, salad topping – French marigolds can do it all. Let’s get growing!
What Are French Marigolds?
French marigolds are part of the same family as sunflowers and asters, Asteraceae. They have dentate, oblong leaves that are typically dark green with an almost lacy appearance.
The plants reach up to 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide, depending on the cultivar.
Tagetes patula plants stand out because they have a wide, mounding growth habit rather than an upright, tall growth habit like other marigold species such as Mexican (also known as American, African, or Aztec) marigolds, T. erecta. In fact, “patula” means spreading.
Size-wise, the flowers are somewhere right in between those of the African and signet species, T. tenuifolia. They are generally one or two inches across.
French marigolds also have heavily ruffled petals, while African and signet marigold petals are
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