The easy-care marigolds are among the most popular flowering plants in our gardens. There are over sixty varieties of this pretty flower, which can grow up to eighty centimeters tall and blooms in different colors from yellow to orange to red. Three species are extremely common and we would like to briefly introduce them to you below.
Which marigold varieties are the most common?
The three most common marigold varieties are the upright marigold (Tagetes erecta) with large, full flowers, the golden yellow marigold (Tagetes patula) with small, multi-colored flowers and the narrow-leaved marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia) with its delicate, bright flower balls.
The upright marigold (Tagetes erecta)
This marigold produces very full flowers whose flattened hemispheres can reach a diameter of up to 13 centimeters. The plant itself has a height of between 45 and 80 centimeters. The deep dark green leaves are heavily indented and serrated and, with a length of 15 centimeters, are a real feast for the eyes. The inflorescences of the upright marigolds also hold up very well in the vase and are therefore popular cut flowers.
The golden yellow student flower (Tagetes patula)
This species produces many small flowers, the diameter of which is about six centimeters. Depending on the hybrid variety, these are colored yellow, orange, red or purple-brown and are half full or full. Those specimens with two-tone flowers are particularly attractive. The plant reaches a height of between twenty and sixty centimeters. The leaves are relatively small. This type of marigold is very popular when planted as a border border, as a container plant or as an intermediate plant in the vegetable patch.
The narrow-leaved marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)
This variety has the smallest flowers with a diameter of only 2.5 centimeters. Since it blooms very profusely and is only thirty centimeters high, it is a very delicate decoration in the perennial or herb bed. It branches heavily and grows in a spherical shape. This makes it look like a bright orange-red flower ball and is a beautiful eye-catcher.
Tip
All types of spiced marigolds are edible. These varieties have a very aromatic taste of citrus fruits or licorice. Thanks to their fruity-sweet aroma, these student flowers go perfectly with summer salads, herb vinegar and sweet dishes.
