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Let's read about this Annual Flower
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TAGETES
. Marigold
(Tages
was an Etruscan god, but perhaps the name is of another
derivation)
Even the
name-Mary's Gold-captivates us, and what could be more
appropriate? The flowers of these old, old favorites
are in some varieties veritably made of flakes of gold.
How easy it is to be wealthy with Mary's Gold. The Aztec
(African) Marigold (T. erecla) has large balls
of petals-some golden and some lemon that are universally
admired. Stiff and formal though they are, they will
always be favorites. They grow 2 to 5 feet tall.
The French
Marigold (T. patina) is typically golden and
lemon, but its flowers are often marked with crimson
and maroon. They are smaller than in the other species,
and the plants are more dwarf, growing only a foot tall.
Hybridized with the African Marigolds, a tall strain
is now on the market.
The Striped
or Mexican Marigold (T. signal? pumila) is a
compact, bushy sort with finely-cut leaves and golden-yellow,
star like flowers of great brilliance. The foliage does
not have so strong an odor as the others. This sort
is not cultivated as often as it deserves. Seedsmen
hide it away in their catalogs, either in small type
or else they do not mention its merits as an ideal edging
plant.
UTILIZE.
The African Marigolds are a bold addition in the background
of the border and in large beds. The French and Mexican
forms are excellent edging plants, their shining flowers
appearing to good advantage. All three are useful for
cut flowers, because of their good keeping qualities
and stiff stems. A favorite combination for the table
is Marigolds and Larkspur. When most other flowering
plants are becoming dry and brown in the Fall, the Marigolds
show up in all their brilliance. Must we add, for the
sake of truth, that the plants have a peculiar odor
which is offensive to some persons?
GENERAL.
Marigolds. being perfectly hardy, can be sown in a warm
spot very early in the Spring. They will stand transplanting
nicely. Set all three sorts at least 18 inches apart;
the tall sorts may well be set 3 feet apart. They prefer
the lighter soils and a sunny exposure, but are adaptable
to less favorable places. Give the taller sorts a stout
support early in growth to keep them neatly upright.
In saving
seed from our own plants it is wise to pull up such
as do not meet our ideals, allowing only the best to
set seed.
Information
on 50+ annual flowers
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