Marigolds are October’s Flower
October 12, 2024
Gardeners’ Dirt by Barb Henry/Victoria County Master Gardener
The intense coloration makes these orange Marigolds outstanding in any landscape or container. (Photo by Barb Henry)
In this tight grouping of golden Marigolds, you can see the dense pom-pom blooms. (Photo by Barb Henry)
The raised bed for my vegetable garden is made of cinder blocks. Marigolds planted in the holes around the perimeter keep away damaging pests.
Photo by Barb Henry
Photo by Barb Henry
Marigolds are the flower of October. I have always loved Marigolds, not just because October is my birth month, but for their beautiful bronze, bright red-orange and yellows flowers. They add a nice pop of color in the landscape and are cheerful and lasting in cut flower displays.
Marigolds have a very long history. In the 12th century, Bishop Reinhart wrote, “Merely looking at the Marigold plant would improve the eyesight and lighten the mood.” But their history goes further back to the ancient Aztec civilization, where they were treated as sacred and used to decorate temples. It is said that around 500 years ago, a Spanish officer went to Mexico and was fascinated by the cute flowers and took seeds back to Europe for cultivation.
Mexican people use marigolds to honor the dead in graveyards. It is often called “flower of the dead” and is an important part of “Día de los Muertos” celebrations. This event, November 1-2, 2024, honors the deceased with decorated altars arrayed with marigolds, sugar skulls and the deceased’s favorite foods. The purpose of this tradition is to help them on their spiritual journey.
Basically, marigolds come in four different types:
• African or American Marigolds (Tagetes erecta) — tall, erect-growing with up to 5-inch globe shaped flowers and 36-inch stems. These flowers are yellow to orange but not red. They are especially beautiful in autumn gardens.
• French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) — shorter, growing 2-inches across and 5-inches to 18-inches tall. These flowers can be red, orange and yellow as well as red and orange mixed blooms. These marigolds are ideal for mass plantings, edging flower beds and containers.
• Signet Marigolds (T.signata pumila) — small and compact, with lacy foliage and clusters of small, single flowers. They are yellow to orange colored with a spicy tarragon flavor. Signets are excellent plants for rock gardens, window boxes and edging flower beds.
• Mule Marigolds — sterile hybrids of tall African and dwarf French marigolds. Mule marigolds are cultivars that grow 12 to 18-inches high but have a low germination rate.
The genus Tagetes are native to the southwestern North America and South America. The flowers are usually dense, unique pompoms and the plant has mounding, dark green foliage. They come in many variations of autumn colors. They will thrive in well-drained, moist soil but will tolerate poor soil conditions.
Marigolds are easy to start from seed or seedlings. I only need to replant every few years as my plants tend to reseed each season. They are considered annual, perennial and biennial. They love full sun. Yes, even our scorching southern Texas sun. It is amazing that marigolds tolerate temperature variations between 32°-109° and are hardy in zones 8-11. Once established, most marigold varieties are very drought tolerant but do need to be watered in the high heat of Victoria summers. When planting marigolds, do so on an overcast day to protect the seedlings from the sun while they cope with transplant shock. Within a few weeks of planting, blooms should appear. Pinch off the first flowers before they open. The practice of deadheading first and spent blooms will lead to more flowers and a longer blooming time. Marigolds bloom summer thru fall with flowers 2”-4” across. They make a lovely border or bedding plant, averaging from 8”-40” in height, with a spread of 4”24”.
Marigolds have a strong fragrance that repels many destructive insects, like whiteflies, aphids and mosquitoes. They attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and ladybugs. For this reason, I always plant them around the perimeter of my vegetable garden. They are great companion plants for tomatoes and other vegetables.
Marigolds are beautiful and functional. They make all gardeners feel like they have magical green thumbs!
REFERENCES:
Welsh, D. The Texas Garden Almanac. Texas A& M University Press, 2007
Marigold Flowers Through time in Gardening Know How