Marigolds are among the most popular flowers in home gardens, loved for their bright colours, resilience, and easy maintenance. With several types of marigold flowers available, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and hues, ranging from deep orange to golden yellow.
Some, like African marigolds, boast large, pom-pom-like blooms, while French marigolds are compact and ideal for borders. Beyond aesthetics, marigolds play a role in natural pest control, repelling insects that harm plants. They also hold cultural significance in festivals and ceremonies worldwide.
This guide explores 30 different types of marigold flowers and their unique characteristics.
1. Crackerjack
The Crackerjack marigold is a standout in any garden, known for its large, fully double blooms that can reach up to 10 cm in diameter. These flowers come in a striking mix of yellow, gold, and orange hues, creating a vivid display.
The plants themselves are robust, often growing between 60 to 90 cm tall, making them ideal for background planting or as a focal point in flower beds.
Their tall stature and substantial blooms not only add vertical interest but also make them excellent choices for cut flower arrangements. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Crackerjack marigolds are appreciated for their ability to deter common garden pests, contributing to a healthier garden ecosystem.
2. Bonanza Flame
The Bonanza Flame marigold is a compact variety, reaching heights of about 25 to 30 cm, making it perfect for borders, containers, or as an edging plant. Its most striking feature is the bicoloured blooms, with petals showcasing a rich red base that transitions to golden yellow at the tips, creating a flame-like appearance.
Each flower measures approximately 5 to 8 cm across and is fully double, providing a lush and full look. The Bonanza series is renowned for its earliness, large flowers, uniformity, and superior performance under a wide range of conditions.
This variety's vibrant colours and reliable blooming make it a favourite among gardeners seeking continuous colour throughout the growing season.
3. Zenith Lemon Yellow
The Zenith Lemon Yellow marigold is part of the Zenith series, celebrated for its vigorous growth and prolific blooming. This variety produces large, fully double flowers in a bright lemon-yellow shade, each bloom measuring around 5 to 8 cm in diameter.
The plants are bushy and uniform, typically reaching heights of 30 to 35 cm, making them suitable for mass plantings, borders, or containers. The Zenith series is known for its excellent garden performance, tolerating heat and adverse conditions better than many other marigold varieties.
The cheerful yellow blooms of Zenith Lemon Yellow can brighten up any garden space and are particularly effective when planted en masse for a bold colour statement.
4. Queen Sophia
Queen Sophia is a dwarf French marigold variety that stands out due to its rich, mahogany-red petals edged with gold. The blooms are fully double and measure about 5 cm across, creating a dense and vibrant display.
Plants are compact, growing to approximately 25 to 30 cm in height, making them ideal for borders, containers, or as bedding plants. Queen Sophia has been recognised for its exceptional performance and was awarded the All-America Selections (AAS) Flower Award in 1979.
Gardeners appreciate this variety not only for its striking appearance but also for its ability to bloom profusely throughout the season, adding continuous colour to garden spaces.
5. Tangerine Gem
Tangerine Gem is a variety of Signet marigold, known for its finely divided, lacy foliage and abundance of small, single, tangerine-orange flowers. Each bloom is about 2.5 cm in diameter, and the plants form neat mounds reaching 25 to 30 cm in height.
Beyond their visual appeal, Tangerine Gem marigolds are edible, offering a citrusy flavour that can enhance salads and other culinary dishes. The foliage emits a pleasant, lemony scent, adding an aromatic dimension to gardens.
This variety is particularly attractive to pollinators, making it a great choice for gardeners aiming to support local ecosystems. Tangerine Gem's compact size and prolific blooming make it versatile for use in borders, containers, or as an attractive ground cover.
6. Antigua Orange
The Antigua Orange marigold is a compact African marigold variety, reaching heights of 10 to 12 inches. It produces large, fully double blooms approximately 3 inches in diameter, showcasing a vibrant orange hue.
The plant's mounded habit ensures that the blooms cover the entire plant, creating a striking display in gardens or containers. Notably, the Antigua series is known for its early and uniform flowering, making it a favourite among gardeners seeking consistent colour throughout the season.
7. Dainty Marietta
Dainty Marietta is a French marigold variety that grows between 12 to 18 inches tall. It features bright yellow, single blooms with bold maroon blotches at the base of each petal, creating a charming contrast.
This dwarf variety is ideal for borders, containers, and as a companion plant in vegetable gardens due to its natural pest-repelling properties. Its compact size and vibrant blooms make it a versatile addition to various garden settings.
8. Lemon Gem
Lemon Gem is a Signet marigold variety known for its finely divided, lacy foliage and abundance of small, single, lemon-yellow flowers. Each bloom is about 1 inch in diameter, and the plant forms neat mounds reaching 10 to 12 inches in height.
Beyond its visual appeal, Lemon Gem marigolds are edible, offering a citrusy flavour that can enhance salads and other culinary dishes. The foliage emits a pleasant, lemony scent, adding an aromatic dimension to gardens.
This variety is particularly attractive to pollinators, making it a great choice for gardeners aiming to support local ecosystems. Lemon Gem's compact size and prolific blooming make it versatile for use in borders, containers, or as an attractive ground cover.
9. Fireball
Fireball is a unique French marigold variety that stands out due to its colour-changing blooms. The flowers open as a deep red and gradually transition to shades of fiery bronze and gold as they mature. This dynamic colour shift provides a constantly evolving display in the garden.
The plants are compact, growing to about 10 to 12 inches in height, making them suitable for borders, containers, or mass plantings. Fireball marigolds are also known for their resilience and ability to thrive in various growing conditions, adding to their appeal among gardeners.
10. Zenith Yellow
Zenith Yellow is a French marigold variety renowned for its large, fully double blooms that can reach up to 3 inches in diameter. The flowers exhibit a bright, pure yellow colour and are produced abundantly on sturdy, mid-height plants that typically grow between 14 to 16 inches tall.
The Zenith series is celebrated for its excellent garden performance, with plants that are both heat and weather tolerant. These marigolds are ideal for bedding, mass plantings, or containers, providing vibrant colour throughout the growing season.
11. Disco Yellow
The Disco Yellow Marigold is a French marigold variety known for its bright yellow, single-petal blooms. The flowers are approximately 5 cm in diameter and are borne on compact plants that typically reach about 30 cm in height.
This variety is prized for its early and continuous flowering throughout the summer months. The Disco series, which includes Disco Yellow, is an improved version of other single French marigolds, offering vibrant color and a neat growth habit.
These marigolds are excellent for borders, containers, and mass plantings, bringing a cheerful yellow hue to garden spaces.
12. Yellow Jacket
Yellow Jacket Marigolds are dwarf French marigolds, characterized by their bright yellow, double-crested blooms. The plants are compact, growing to about 15-20 cm in height, making them ideal for edging, borders, and container gardening.
They have a long-lasting flowering season and are known to attract butterflies and bees, aiding in pollination. The aromatic foliage adds an extra sensory dimension to the garden, and their resilience makes them a low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking vibrant color with minimal effort.
13. Inca II
Inca II Marigolds are an African marigold variety, notable for their large, fully double blooms that can reach up to 10 cm in diameter. The flowers are a vibrant orange color, and the plants themselves are sturdy, typically growing to about 30-35 cm in height.
This series is known for its uniformity and excellent performance in various weather conditions, including heat and rain. Inca II Marigolds are often used in mass plantings, borders, and as a striking addition to flower beds, providing a bold splash of color throughout the summer months.
14. Disco Orange
The Disco Orange Marigold is part of the Disco series, featuring single-petal blooms in a vibrant orange hue. The flowers are about 5 cm in diameter and are produced abundantly on plants that reach approximately 30 cm in height.
This variety is valued for its early and continuous flowering, bringing a bright and cheerful color to gardens and containers. The Disco series is known for its improved performance over other single French marigolds, offering gardeners a reliable and visually appealing option for summer blooms.
15. Tiger Eyes
Tiger Eyes Marigolds are a striking French marigold variety, characterized by their double-layered blooms with red or orange outer petals and a deep yellow, anemone-like inner layer.
The plants are compact, typically growing to about 25-30 cm in height, making them suitable for borders, containers, and mass plantings.
They bloom profusely from spring to early autumn, providing a continuous display of vibrant color. The unique coloration of Tiger Eyes Marigolds adds a distinctive and eye-catching element to any garden setting.
16. African Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
The African marigold, also known as Tagetes erecta, is native to Mexico and Central America. It is a robust annual plant that can reach heights between 20 and 90 cm. The plant produces large, fully double blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and white, often measuring up to 12 cm in diameter.
These marigolds are commonly used in ornamental gardening and the cut-flower trade due to their substantial size and vibrant colors.
They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, making them a popular choice for garden beds and borders. In addition to their ornamental use, African marigolds have been utilized in traditional medicine and cultural ceremonies.
17. French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
The French marigold, or Tagetes patula, is native to Mexico and Guatemala. It is a compact annual plant, typically reaching up to 0.5 meters in height. The flowers range in color from bright yellow to deep orange and are known for their ruffled petals and musky scent.
French marigolds are highly valued in ornamental gardening for their ease of cultivation and ability to bloom profusely from summer to autumn. They are also known for their pest-repellent properties, making them beneficial companion plants in vegetable gardens.
18. Zenith Golden Yellow
The Zenith Golden Yellow marigold is a hybrid variety known for its vibrant golden-yellow blooms. The plant is compact and well-branched, typically reaching heights of 30 to 35 cm. It produces large, fully double flowers that can measure up to 7 cm in diameter.
The Zenith series is renowned for its heat tolerance and ability to bloom continuously throughout the summer months. These marigolds are excellent choices for garden beds, borders, and containers, providing consistent color and resilience in various growing conditions.
19. Strawberry Blonde
The Strawberry Blonde marigold is a unique French marigold variety celebrated for its color-changing blooms. The flowers transition from shades of pink and rosy-red to a soft straw-yellow as they mature, often displaying multiple colors simultaneously.
The plant is compact, typically growing to about 25 to 30 cm in height, making it suitable for borders, containers, and mass plantings. Strawberry Blonde marigolds are prized for their continuous blooming and ability to add a dynamic color palette to garden spaces.
20. Mexican Marigold (Tagetes lucida)
The Mexican marigold, or Tagetes lucida, is a perennial plant native to Mexico and Central America. It typically grows to about 45 to 75 cm in height and produces clusters of small, yellow, daisy-like flowers.
The leaves have a distinct anise-like scent and are used as a tarragon substitute in culinary applications, earning the plant names like "Mexican tarragon" and "Texas tarragon."
In traditional medicine, Tagetes lucida has been used for its purported digestive and calming properties. The plant prefers well-drained soil and full sun, making it a versatile addition to herb gardens and ornamental beds.
21. Signet Marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)
The Signet Marigold, or Tagetes tenuifolia, is renowned for its delicate, finely divided foliage and profusion of small, single blooms. Flowers typically measure about 2.5 cm in diameter and come in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
The plant maintains a compact, mounding habit, reaching heights of 20 to 30 cm, making it ideal for borders, edging, or container planting. Beyond their ornamental appeal, the blossoms are edible, offering a citrusy flavor that can enhance salads and other culinary dishes.
The foliage emits a subtle, pleasant fragrance, adding an aromatic dimension to garden spaces. Signet Marigolds are also known for their resilience, tolerating poor soil conditions and requiring minimal maintenance, making them a favorite among gardeners seeking both beauty and practicality.
22. Alumia Vanilla Cream
Alumia Vanilla Cream is a French Marigold variety that stands out due to its unique pale cream-colored blooms. The flowers are fully double, measuring approximately 5 to 7 cm across, and are borne on sturdy stems.
Plants are compact, typically growing to about 25 to 30 cm in height, making them suitable for borders, containers, or mass plantings. This variety is noted for its uniform growth habit and prolific blooming throughout the summer months.
The soft, creamy hue of the blossoms provides a pleasing contrast to the more traditional bright yellows and oranges commonly found in marigolds, offering gardeners a unique color option for their landscapes.
23. Safari Tangerine
Safari Tangerine is a French Marigold cultivar known for its vibrant, tangerine-orange blooms. The flowers are double and crested, measuring about 5 cm in diameter, and are produced abundantly on bushy plants.
Reaching heights of 20 to 25 cm, Safari Tangerine is ideal for use in borders, containers, or as a bedding plant. This variety is prized for its early and continuous flowering, providing bright color from late spring until the first frost.
The intense orange hue of the blossoms adds a warm and lively touch to garden spaces, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking to create a vibrant display.
24. Hero Orange
Hero Orange is a French Marigold variety characterized by its bold, orange-colored blooms. The flowers are fully double, measuring about 5 cm in diameter, and are set against dark green, fern-like foliage.
Plants are compact and uniform, typically reaching heights of 20 to 25 cm, making them well-suited for edging, borders, or container plantings.
Hero Orange is known for its durability and ability to thrive in various growing conditions, including heat and poor soil, making it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet visually appealing plants.
25. Safari Scarlet
Safari Scarlet is a striking French Marigold variety, notable for its deep red blooms with a hint of gold at the petal edges. The flowers are double and measure approximately 5 cm in diameter, creating a lush and full appearance.
Plants are compact, growing to about 20 to 25 cm in height, making them suitable for borders, containers, or mass plantings. Safari Scarlet is valued for its vibrant color and extended blooming period, providing rich hues from late spring through fall.
The intense scarlet coloration adds depth and contrast to garden designs, making it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a dramatic flair to their landscapes.
26. Honeycomb
The Honeycomb Marigold is a French marigold (Tagetes patula) cultivar known for its striking bicolored blooms. Each flower displays deep mahogany-red petals edged with bright golden-yellow, creating a "honeycomb" effect.
The plants are compact, typically reaching heights of 25 to 30 centimeters, making them ideal for borders, containers, or mass plantings. They are valued for their extended blooming period, providing continuous color from late spring through to the first frost.
The vibrant hues and unique petal pattern of the Honeycomb Marigold add a dynamic touch to garden spaces, making them a favorite among gardeners seeking to create visually appealing displays.
27. Safari Mixture
The Safari Mixture is a blend of French marigold (Tagetes patula) cultivars that offers a diverse color palette. This mix includes shades of yellow, orange, tangerine, gold, and red, as well as bicolors like the "Bolero," which features a combination of red and gold.
The plants are compact, growing to about 25 to 30 centimeters in height, with a neat, mounded habit. They produce large, crested blooms that are approximately 5 centimeters in diameter.
The Safari Mixture is known for its uniformity and prolific blooming, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add a burst of color to borders, containers, or mass plantings.
28. Triploid Hybrid Marigold (Tagetes erecta x Tagetes patula)
Triploid Hybrid Marigolds are the result of crossing African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) with French marigolds (Tagetes patula). These hybrids combine the large flower size of African marigolds with the compact growth habit of French marigolds.
They are typically sterile, which means they do not produce viable seeds, leading to an extended blooming period as the plants do not divert energy into seed production.
Triploid hybrids are known for their vigor, heat tolerance, and continuous flowering throughout the growing season. They are available in various colors, including yellow, orange, and gold, and are suitable for borders, containers, or as bedding plants.
29. Red Gem
The Red Gem Marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia) is a signet marigold variety celebrated for its abundant, small, single, daisy-like flowers in a vibrant red hue. The blooms are about 2.5 centimeters in diameter and are known for their citrusy scent and edible petals, which can add color and flavor to salads and other dishes.
The plants have finely divided, lacy foliage and maintain a compact, mounding habit, reaching heights of 25 to 30 centimeters.
Red Gem Marigolds are prized for their extended blooming period, drought tolerance, and ability to attract beneficial insects, making them a versatile and attractive addition to herb gardens, borders, or containers.
30. Yellow Jacket
The Yellow Jacket Marigold is a French marigold (Tagetes patula) cultivar known for its bright yellow, double blooms. The flowers are fully double, measuring about 5 centimeters in diameter, and are set against dark green, fern-like foliage.
Plants are compact and uniform, typically reaching heights of 20 to 25 centimeters, making them well-suited for edging, borders, or container plantings.
Yellow Jacket Marigolds are valued for their durability and ability to thrive in various growing conditions, including heat and poor soil, making them a reliable choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet visually appealing plants.
Conclusion About The Types Of Marigold Flowers
With so many types of marigold flowers available, selecting the right variety can transform your garden into a vibrant, functional space. Whether you prefer the towering African marigolds, the compact and pest-repelling French marigolds, or the delicate Signet varieties, each type brings its own charm and benefits.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Types Of Marigold Flowers
Does The Colour Of Marigold Flowers Change Over Time?
Yes, some marigold varieties, like Fireball and Strawberry Blonde, shift colours as they mature, transitioning from red to bronze or yellow. This colour change is influenced by temperature and sunlight exposure.
Can Different Types Of Marigold Flowers Be Planted Together?
Yes, African, French, and Signet marigolds can be planted together to create a diverse, colourful garden while enhancing pest control benefits. However, spacing is important to prevent overcrowding, as African marigolds grow much taller than French or Signet varieties.
When Is The Best Time To Plant Different Types Of Marigold Flowers?
The best time to plant marigolds is in spring after the last frost when the soil has warmed up. In warmer climates, they can also be planted in early autumn for extended blooming.
Do All Types Of Marigold Flowers Attract Pollinators?
No, while Signet marigolds are highly attractive to bees and butterflies due to their open, nectar-rich flowers, some double-bloom African marigolds are less accessible to pollinators. However, most marigold varieties still contribute to a pollinator-friendly garden.
Is There A Type Of Marigold That Lasts Longer Than Others In Floral Arrangements?
Yes, African marigolds are the longest-lasting cut flowers due to their sturdy stems and dense blooms. To maximise their vase life, trim the stems at an angle and change the water regularly.
