OPINION: Marvellous Marigolds
JOBURG - The brightest and most cheerful of all the summer annuals, Marigolds are relentless in producing flowers throughout their lifetime.
A garden is all the richer for these marvellous plants. They are an enticing source of nectar for butterflies and act as little garden soldiers in protecting your vegetables from pests.
In South African garden centres you will more than likely find the two most common Marigolds: the French Marigold and the African Marigold, which are in fact native to Mexico and Central America.
Both are herbaceous annuals with a dense feathery foliage. Each plant produces many stems which rise above the leaves, producing one carnation-like flower per stem.
French Marigolds vary greatly in height although in South Africa it is more common to find the dwarf varieties, which range from 20 – 30cm. The flowers are either single or double and can grow as big as 8cm in diameter. The smaller the flower, the greater the number of flowers per plant. Predominant colours are orange and yellow, however there are wonderful variances within these two colours that plant breeders have exploited. Reds and creams have now been added to the palette, resulting in some striking combinations and bicolours.
The African Marigold is a more robust-looking plant. Due to the large globe-type flowers, this plant produces fewer flowers than the French type, and its height varies greatly. The dwarf varieties are more popular, and some varieties produce flowers the size of tennis balls. Colours range from a pale primrose yellow to a deep orange.
Marigold plants are relatively neat and make for excellent borders and edging in the flowerbed. They also work just as well in a container, either on their own or mixed with other plants. Marigolds are popularly used in the vegetable patch as they deter nematodes and flying pests.
When planting Marigolds, pinch back the stems. This will allow for more side branching which in turn will produce a sturdier plant. Marigolds do not require particularly fertile soil, in fact if the soil is too nutritious it will encourage foliage growth to the detriment of the flowers. Plant in full sun and do not over-water. It is not necessary to fertilise Marigolds, but it is important to dead head spent flowers.
Marigolds have many medicinal and commercial uses. The colour is extracted from the petals and used as a food and textile dye. Essential oils are used as an antifungal treatment as well as in the perfume industry. The leaves are edible and can be added to salads.
Content provided by Bedding Plant Growers Association.
