Name a plant that is easy to grow, blooms nonstop from summer through fall, is practically maintenance free and is grown worldwide. If you said "marigold," you would be right. And if you think this plant is boring, let me tell you all the reasons this foolproof flower deserves a spot in every garden.
GLOBAL FLOWERS Because marigolds grow in almost any kind of soil and it's so simple to collect seeds, this Mexican and Central American native has found its way to popularity around the world. Marigold flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, cream and red; the edible flowers' flavors range from citrusy to spicy to bitter, and the dried or fresh petals make delightful additions to a salad or soup. Harvest these long-lasting flowers when the petals have opened fully, but the center is still tight. The blooms make great cut flowers and are easy to dry for everlasting bouquets. The petals are also used in fabric dyes, food coloring and even chicken feed to make egg yolks more yellow.
A MARIGOLD MISCONCEPTION The pungent smell of marigolds is thought to deter many insect pests and animals. Deer do tend to ignore them, while some rabbits find them tasty. But they rarely repel insects. In fact, spider mites and Japanese beetles are so attracted to marigolds that you can actually use the flowers as a trap crop to lure these insects away from vulnerable plants. They also draw in beneficial insects, such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps, and other pollinators that you want in your garden.
Need more reasons to grow marigolds? Keep reading to learn about the different types, including French, American and signet marigolds, and where each one will grow best in your garden.
Marigold
Tagetes spp. and hybrids
この記事は Garden Gate の Issue 173 - October 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Garden Gate の Issue 173 - October 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Birds & The Bees (and Bunnies)
Although I wouldn’t call my raised garden beds romantic, the rabbits in my neighborhood sure like to use them in spring for their bunny rendezvous and subsequent nests.
5 Ways to Stake Tomatoes
While it might feel early to be thinking about tomatoes, it’s never too early to start planning your next garden, especially if your tomato plants tend to look wild and overgrown by the time you remember to offer them a cage for support.
Destination Gardens
Don’t miss out on these four botanical treasures!
Bee Balm
Butterflies and pollinating insects can't resist this bold summer perennial.
2024's Best New Plants!
Instead of ringing in the new year with champagne and balloons, why not treat yourself to a few new plants that you can enjoy through the growing season? There are a lot of interesting introductions to get excited about this year.
6 Pro Garden Design Secrets
Starting a garden can feel overwhelming. And sometimes it’s hard to know if you’ll like something until you’ve seen it. By then, you’ve spent enough hours, hard work and money that it’s tough to make a change.
Dreaming of Summer
Unless you are lucky enough to live where it’s warm year round, when winter starts to drag on, it may feel as if the garden is awash in dreary, monochromatic browns and grays. Time to close your eyes and dream of summer—a colorful season when foliage is vibrant, fl owers are blooming and pollinators are active. If you need a bit of summer inspiration, here are three colorful low-maintenance combos that will also attract wildlife. Who wouldn’t dream of that?
Native Bees Find Winter Shelter in Surprising Places
As the buzz of busy bees gave way to the rustle of fallen leaves in my autumn garden, the last of the bumblebee stragglers hit up fading mountain mint blooms. Day by day, fewer sparkly green sweat bees and dwarf carpenter bees nectared on the asters, eventually vanishing along with the fluffy field thistle seeds.
Reader Tips
GREAT IDEAS FROM SMART GARDENERS
GARDEN ESSENTIALS
TOOLS THAT MAKE FALL GARDEN WORK EASIER