Marigolds Are Cheerful Flowers with a Sunny Outlook

They do not come much easier than the common marigold. It's a plant that will stand up to the hot summer sun and smile back with its own sunny yellow, orange, or bronzed-hued face.

Insects avoid marigolds.

Marigolds can laugh at bugs too. One sniff of its pungent leaves and most insects head for the next county. In fact, some people plant marigolds around more vulnerable flowers in order to act as a natural insect repellent. This is known as companion planting. There is even a bug spray made from the plant.

Marigolds can bloom all summer especially if you keep the spent flowers from going to seed by plucking them. You can encourage their growth by giving them manure tea or liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks. Marigolds are grown in masses, along border beds and in medium to large containers and hanging pots.

Marigolds can be grown form seeds.

The plants are easy to grow from seed planted after any danger of frost and are also available in six packs or larger pots from every garden center. If started indoors, plant them in peat pots six weeks before the last expected frost. There are basically two types of marigolds, shorter, more commonly grown French marigolds, and taller African marigolds. Put them in a sunny spot and they will grow from 12 to 18 inches and bloom a riot until Jack Frost calls an end to the party.

Starting marigolds from seeds is also a fine way to introduce children to gardening. Save some of the seeds and plant them next year if you want to demonstrate how flowers are a plant's way of making new plants. Marigolds sometimes reseed themselves in the same spot they previously grew.

Marigolds are usually gold, orange, and bronze.

"African" or "Aztec" marigolds have large flowers in early summer to fall, orange or yellow, This type of marigold grows to three feet or more and spreads three feet. Space plants 14 inches apart in groups of three or more. They should be staked or caged. If not supported they can split down the middle.

"Antigua series" marigolds grow 12 to 16 inches tall with many blooms. The three inch flower heads bloom above the foliage. Antiguas bloom with gold, orange, soft pastel yellow and a bright, clear yellow.

Marigolds in the "Aurora series" are an early blooming bushy type for warm, humid climates. Colors include gold, light yellow, red, and orange.