Marigolds don’t get their due in the floral pantheon. They aren’t the most flashy or sophisticated flowers in the garden. But they are the trusty workhorse that can always be counted on to add chear, color and beauty. Because of their reliability, I almost always use marigolds as the backbone of my flower pots and in-ground gardens.
Despite their modesty, you should consider adding them as a backbone of your garden plan. Here’s why:
1. Marigolds are extra-hearty.
It takes a lot to kill a marigold. They can handle just about whatever nature throws their way. Of course every plant has it’s breaking point. But in general, be it a bit too much wind, rain, hail, drought, heat or cold, these babies will keep growing and blooming. Their stems and leaves are strong and sturdy. They are resistant to most pests, diseases and even animal chomping.
2. Marigolds bloom all season.
From first the last frost of Spring to the light frosts of Fall, they will always stay pretty and in bloom. There are few other flowers that you can plant that will give you that length of a season.
3. Marigolds come in a very wide variety of sizes, colors and shapes.
From tall, huge-bloomed Park’s Whopper to the petitie, fairy-garden friendly Dainty Marietta, you will find whatever size you’re looking for. Colors range from creamy light yellow to deep, blaze orange to sunny, extra-bright yellows. Flowers can be a single color or combine a few different shades to create a delightful palate.
5. Marigolds are easy to start from seed.
Marigold seeds are incredibly easy to collect from last-year’s plants. They also will self-seed. That means that the areas where they were planted last year will likely sprout new marigolds from dropped seed the next Spring. I’ve even planted marigold seeds in areas in the Fall that I want them to grow the next year, thus reducing Spring’s workload of getting everything planted. The seeds are hearty and will generally survive the winter, but plant a number of them to make sure. Pull out all but one seedling, though, once they get about 2” tall to make sure they don’t get too crowded.
7. Marigolds go great in a vegetable garden.
Marigolds can help deter certain pests, such as nematodes in your vegetable garden. They have a strong scent that can help mask the scent of your vegetables and help hide them a bit from some of the pests that are looking for them. They are beautiful mixed in with vegetables and add a lot of color to an otherwise boring-looking garden. Finally, marigolds are excellent food sources for bees, which help pollinate your vegetables and thus make them grow bigger. Since they bloom for so much of the season, they are a consistent food source for your bees and other beneficial insects that will eat the “bad” bugs that you don’t want.
6. Marigolds are cheap.
Marigolds are commonly available in less-expensive 6 packs, and are nearly always sold in economical 4 packs. They grow quickly and fill-up space well, so fewer plants with a little fertilizer can go a long way. Their full-season blooming also reduces the need for as many different types of flowers to keep your garden in bloom. I also very frequently find specials on marigold plants.
These old-fashioned beauties can be an integral part of an amazing garden design. They are available in so many varieties, so flexible in their uses, and make all your good bugs happy that they can literally fill your garden with abundance and beauty. They are such low-maintenance flowers that they take away a lot of the stress of growing gorgeous flowers allowing you more time to sit back and enjoy them!
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