Marigold – Jolly Jester

The Jolly Jester Marigolds are beautiful and versatile. They tolerate poor conditions. Plant at the ends of your rows for a beautiful and powerful natural pest protector, in front of your pea or bean fence for decorative border. Flowers are edible and also used in teas. Bloom from late summer through fall. Mine are still blooming in November in Sunnyvale! 24-30″ tall.

History and Culinary

The Marigold was the “flower of the dead” in pre-Hispanic Mexico and is still used in such commemorations today. Petals of marigold are rich in luteins and also make exceptional food coloring. Scattering a few petals on a salad provides exquisite color!

Planting Instructions

Marigolds are so easy to grow and save seed for. You can direct sow them or, for short-growing seasons, start them indoors. Sow seeds outdoors 2 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds just beneath the surface of the soil. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Marigolds prefer full sun (may need light shade in extremely warm areas) and a well-balanced, slightly dry soil. To save seed, pop the spent flower heads and into a paper bag and squeeze the seeds off to dry and save for next year.

Details

Family: Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Tagetes (TAG-e-teez) (Info)
Species: patula (PAT-yoo-luh) (Info)
Cultivar: Jolly Jester

Category: Annuals

Height: 6-12 in. (15-30 cm)

Spacing: 9-12 in. (22-30 cm)

Hardiness: Not Applicable

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Danger: N/A

Bloom Color: Gold (Yellow-Orange); Maroon (Purple-Brown)

Bloom Time: Mid Spring; Late Spring/Early Summer; Mid Summer; Late Summer/Early Fall

Foliage: Herbaceous

Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic); 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

Patent Information: Unknown – Tell us

Propagation Methods: From seed; sow indoors before last frost; From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds

Read more: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/90927/#ixzz3JdQjk818

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