Marigold (Narzi)

Key Characteristics and Types

Marigolds are known for their showy, single or double flowers that bloom profusely from late spring until the first frost. The blooms come in a range of warm colors, including golden, orange, yellow, and sometimes white, often with maroon or reddish highlights. The foliage is typically fern-like and has a distinctive, pungent scent, which is a key to one of its most useful features.

There are three main types of marigolds commonly grown:

• African Marigolds ($Tageteserecta$): Despite their name, these are native to Mexico. They are the tallest type, with a strong, upright growth habit, reaching heights of up to 3 feet or more. They produce large, round, pom-pom-like flowers that are often yellow or orange.
• French Marigolds ($Tagetespatula$): These are the most common and are smaller and more compact than African marigolds. They have a bushy growth habit and produce a profusion of smaller flowers, often in a mix of red, orange, and yellow. They are known for being particularly effective at repelling garden pests.
• Signet Marigolds ($Tagetestenuifolia$): These are the smallest type, with a delicate, mounding habit and finely divided, lacy foliage. They produce a profusion of small, single flowers in bright shades of yellow and orange. Some varieties are known for their edible, lemon-scented flowers.