Marigolds "Tagetes erecta", commonly called African marigold, Aztec marigold, American marigold, and french marigolds, is native to Mexico and Central America. The earliest use of marigolds was by the Aztec people who attributed magical, religious and medicinal properties to marigolds. The first recorded use of marigolds is in the De La Crus-Badiano Aztec Herbal of 1552. Marigold seeds were taken from the Aztecs by early Spanish explorers to Spain. The marigolds were cultivated in Spain, the flowers became popular in the churches in Spain and were frequently referred to as "Mary's Gold." The name evolved to marigold. From Spain, marigold seeds were transported to France and northern Africa. Several hundred years after their initial journey from the Americas to Europe and Africa, marigolds were introduced to American gardeners.
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Today this popular annual flower is a garden favorite because they are easy to care for, grow well from seeds, and attract pollinators.
Marigold Plant Description
Marigolds, Members of the genus Tagetes have attractive yellow, orange, or red flowers that are solitary or clustered. Blooms naturally occur in golden, orange, and yellow colors, often with maroon highlights. Floral heads are typically from "1 to 4–6 cm" diameter, generally with both ray florets and disc florets. Each flower consists of large number of petals that overlap. Biggest petals are located on a periphery and smallest in a center of a flower.
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Flowers contain both male and female reproductive organs. Most species have pinnate green leaves, leaves opposite each other on the stem that usually are finely cut, and bracts (leaflike structures) that form a cup-shaped base below each flower head. The roots of marigold produce secretions that contain flavonoids, amines, amides, phenols and ketones that have insecticidal and nematicidal effects.
Many varieties of marigolds can help repel root-knot nematodes, microscopic worms that live in the soil and can damage vegetable and fruit plants. Marigolds produces flowers all year round under optimal weather conditions. The majority of marigold species bloom during the summer and fall. While some marigold species are perennials, most of the common types are annuals that die with the first frost.
Tagetes patula is an annual plant. Bushes spreading, height 25-40 cm, with deflected lateral shoots. Inflorescences are terry, 4-7 cm in diameter, intensely orange in color.
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Come in two basic varieties: “large-flowered” and “dwarf.” Large-flowered are between 12-16” tall with large (up to 2”) flower blossoms. Dwarf French marigolds rarely grow higher than 12” and produce small flowers.
Are a hybrid of French and African marigolds and are also known as “mule” marigolds because they cannot reproduce. They grow fairly tall and produce large (up to 2”) flowers.
They are quite different in appearance from other marigold varieties because their flowers have very simple, almost daisy-like flowers rather than the thick and bushy blossoms .
Marigolds has edible flowers. They are often used as an ingredient of salads and for decoration of desserts. Medical studies showed that marigolds contains substances with anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. This aromatic plant can be easily grown by seeds either indoors in a pot, or in the garden.
Watch How to Grow and Take Care of Marigolds Plants Video
In conclusion, adding marigolds to your garden isn't just about enhancing its aesthetic appeal with vibrant hues of gold and orange. It's about inviting a multitude of benefits into your outdoor haven. From their natural pest-repelling properties to their contribution to soil health and the potential to attract beneficial pollinators, marigolds prove to be a gardener's delight. As you nurture these resilient blooms, you're not only cultivating a visually stunning landscape, but also creating a harmonious ecosystem that supports the well-being of your other plants. The aromatic marigold blossoms don't just perfume the air; they serve as a natural deterrent to unwanted pests, reducing the need for harmful pesticides.
So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice with a newfound love for all things green, consider adding marigolds to your next planting endeavor. Watch as these humble yet powerful flowers transform your garden into a thriving, vibrant ecosystem that not only flourishes in beauty but also buzzes with the vitality of a harmonious natural balance. Embrace the magic of marigolds, and let your garden bloom with joy, health, and an undeniable zest for life!
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