When you decide to grow your own marigolds from seed, your options might feel almost limitless.
These beautiful and sunny annual flowers are available in an impressive array of bloom types, colors, and plant sizes – and all of them are gorgeous, so it can be hard to know which to choose!
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In this article we’re going to take a look at 31 different types of marigolds, considering their various features to help you determine which ones will work for your particular flower beds or garden patch – as well as your aesthetic preferences.
We’ll have a look at the coloration of the flowers and what height to expect from the plants, and offer some ideas on how to use them in your landscape.
I’ll let you know whether you should expect single flowers (those that have easily distinguished petals and a flat, open shape) or double flowers (blooms which are densely petaled and tend to have either a ruffled or puff-ball appearance).
We’ll also cover which ones are the best for pollinators and I’ll provide some tips on where to source seeds for these beauties.
The colossus red gold bicolor marigold is truly one of the shining stars of the garden. This spectacular marigold variety bursts forth with huge double blooms in a dazzling two-tone pattern of brilliant orange and deep red. It combines the best attributes of French and African marigolds, resulting in a sensational flower that steals the show in beds, borders and containers.
In this article we’ll explore why the colossus red gold bicolor marigold has become so beloved how to grow it successfully, and tips for enjoying its fantastic blooms all season long.
Overview of Colossus Red Gold Bicolor Marigold
The colossus marigold is classified as a French marigold (Tagetes patula) and exhibits the iconic mound-shaped growth habit of this type. The plants reach about 12 inches tall and wide making them perfect for edging flower beds or as thriller elements in container plantings.
While most French marigolds have tiny single flowers, the colossus marigold breaks the mold with its enormous fully double blooms. The eye-catching two-tone pattern features deep orange petal bases that graduate into intense fiery red tips.
Each individual flower measures a whopping 2 to 3 inches across – gigantic by French marigold standards. In fact, the blossoms rival large African marigolds in size. Hundreds of these dazzling blooms blanket the compact plants all summer long.
Key Features of Colossus Marigold
Some of the noteworthy attributes that make the colossus marigold a top pick include:
- Massive 2 to 3 inch flower size with unique bicolor pattern
- Continuous flowering from early summer until frost
- Compact, uniform growth habit perfect for edging and containers
- Excellent heat and drought tolerance
- Prolific blooms great for bouquets and garden decoration
- Attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies
With its stellar ornamental qualities, it’s easy to see why the colossus marigold has garnered prestigious awards like All-America Selections Winner and Fleuroselect Gold Medal.
Growing Colossus Marigolds from Seed
The colossus marigold performs best when grown from seed sown directly in the garden after all danger of spring frost has passed. Here are some tips for success:
Sun Exposure: Give plants full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light leads to reduced blooms.
Soil: Grow in average garden soil with good drainage. Avoid overly wet, heavy clay soils.
Planting: Sow seeds 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch deep and 6 to 12 inches apart. Thin seedlings.
Water: Water weekly during dry periods, being careful not to overwater.
Fertilizer: Apply a balanced flower fertilizer once or twice during the season.
Maintenance: Pinch back tips to encourage bushy growth. Deadhead spent blooms to promote reblooming.
Hardiness: Grown as a frost-tender annual. Perennial only in zones 9-11.
With minimal care, the colossus marigold will reward you with masses of vibrant blooms in just 8 to 10 weeks from sowing seed.
Tips for Maximizing Flowers
Follow these tips to get the highest number of blossoms from colossus marigold plants:
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Site plants in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Too little sun equals fewer flowers.
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Allow adequate spacing between plants for good airflow. Crowding causes issues like powdery mildew.
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Deadhead spent blooms regularly to keep plants flowering nonstop all season.
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Apply a bloom-boosting soluble fertilizer monthly to nourish plants and spur flowering.
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Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizers that result in lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites; control with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
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Water deeply during drought and extreme summer heat to prevent flower bud drop.
Using Colossus Marigold Flowers
The large, long-lasting blooms of the colossus marigold make it a stellar choice for:
Cut Flowers: The vibrant double blossoms work beautifully in summer flower arrangements.
Bedding Plant: Its uniform rounded shape makes it perfect for edging borders or mass plantings.
Containers: Plant it alone or combine it with other flowers in patio pots and containers.
Companion Planting: Interplant it with vegetables like tomatoes to attract beneficial insects.
Wedding Flowers: Use the golden orange blooms in bridal bouquets and centerpieces.
No matter how you use them, colossus marigolds will enliven any garden space with their spectacular colors and bountiful blooms.
Alternative Stellar Marigold Varieties
If you love the colossus marigold, also consider trying these other top-rated marigold varieties:
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Mr. Majestic – Giant 4 to 5 inch double blooms in bold red, yellow and orange hues.
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Durango Red – Vibrant cherry red flowers on uniform, compact 10 inch plants.
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Boy Orange – Early to bloom with bright crested orange blossoms, great for edging.
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Disco – Eye-catching blooms in yellow, orange, red and mahogany with bicolor patterns.
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Queen Sophia – Deep wine red flowers on tidy 10 inch plants, ideal for containers.
Experiment with different marigold types to find your favorites, though it’s hard to surpass the colossus marigold for spectacular floral fireworks!
The Dazzling Colossus Marigold Lights Up the Garden
With its continuous supply of mammoth two-tone blooms, it’s easy to see why the colossus red gold bicolor marigold has become a modern garden classic. This compact variety combines fantastic landscape performance with a spectacular floral display. Give it a spot in full sun and get ready for a summer of vibrant, dazzling color!
31 of the Best Marigold Varieties
Before we get started, you can learn more about how to tend these valuable companion plants as well as the different species that go by this common name in our guide to growing and caring for marigolds.
A tiny tot, our first selection, ‘Bambino,’ is a Tagetes patula cultivar with open, single flowers.
Compared to double blooms, which can be difficult or impossible for pollinators to use as forage, single blooms provide easy access to pollinators.
This little French marigold has a sunny appearance with its bicolored, two-inch, yellow and orange striped petals.
‘Bambino’ is a compact, dwarf variety, reaching just 10 inches tall.
Its diminutive size would make it well suited to bringing some cheer to the front row of a flower bed.
The blooms of ‘Bolero’ bring with them an appearance of intensity and drama. This is a French marigold whose ruffled, double blooms have gold petals that look like they were dipped in burgundy.
Each two-inch flower of this T. patula cultivar is unique and has its own distinct pattern.
The plants are small, reaching only 12 inches tall, making them an excellent size to grow among your lettuce crop.
Be prepared for this cultivar to steal the scene. You’ll find ‘Bolero’ seeds available for purchase in an assortment of package sizes at Eden Brothers.
With warm colors and a delicate appearance, ‘Brocade’ has flowers that are as rich-looking as an antique tapestry.
These French marigolds have delicately ruffled two-inch flowers in shades of gold, orange, and deep red.
And with compact plants growing up to 12 inches tall, they can be used to carpet a swath of your flower beds in rich, fiery color.
Add a touch of ‘Brocade’ to your landscape – you’ll find seeds available for purchase in an array of packet sizes at Eden Brothers.
Colossus Red Gold
Some plants loom large not because of their height, but because of their visual impact – and such is the case with ‘Colossus Red Gold.’
This visual giant is a bicolor French marigold that has deep burgundy petals gilded with gold. The double blooms have large petals, and each petal is distinctly outlined in gold.
A cultivar of T. patula, ‘Colossus Red Gold’ produces stunning, jumbo-sized blooms up to three inches wide, on compact, 12-inch plants.
‘Colossus Red Gold’ creates a colossal impact when mass planted in a border.
We can all use an extra reason to smile, and when you add ‘Court Jester’ to your vegetable garden, this French marigold might even make you laugh!
This heirloom cultivar of T. patula has single, two-inch blooms with petals surprisingly striped in yellow and dark red.
‘Court Jester’ is compact, with small plants reaching just 12 inches tall, making it an excellent size to interplant between low-growing crops such as ground cherry or bok choy.
Sow some visual fun with ‘Court Jester.’ Seeds are available for purchase in three different package sizes at Eden Brothers.
When you include this ‘Crackerjack’ in your garden, you won’t find yourself wondering where the prize went. Our first African marigold of this selection, ‘Crackerjack’ is a big and showy heirloom variety that packs a visual punch.
This cultivar of T. erecta has huge yellow or orange double blooms that are densely petaled and look like puff balls.
The rounded blooms are huge, reaching up to four inches wide, and held aloft on tall plants that grow to be two to three feet tall.
This large variety would be the perfect background for a patch of purple asters.
When ‘Crackerjack’ is around, you’ll be keeping your eyes on this prize. You can purchase ‘Crackerjack’ in packs of 180 conventional seeds or packs of 120 organic seeds at Botanical Interests.
Red Marigold Seeds For Sale
FAQ
How tall are colossus red gold bicolor marigolds?
A knockout of a marigold, Colossus will dwarf other French varieties with its magnificent, jumbo flowers. Dynamic, bicolor blooms in orange and deep red cover the mounding, 12 inch tall plants.
What should you not plant next to marigolds?
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Reddit · r/gardeninghttps://www.reddit.comI planted some marigolds between veggies and I love how vibrant they …Aug 15, 2013 — French Marigold (T. patula) has roots that exude a substance which spreads in their immediate vicinity killing nematodes. For nematode control you w…
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Our Herb Gardenhttp://www.ourherbgarden.comMarigold Companion Planting Guide – Our Herb GardenBeans and cabbage are listed as bad companion plants for marigolds. Marigolds, Cabbage & Broccoli. … Cabbage and I suspect it’s fellow Brassica broccoli appea…
What type of marigolds keep mosquitoes away?
French Marigolds are highly effective at deterring a variety of garden pests due to their strong scent. They are especially useful in repelling aphids, mosquitoes, whiteflies, and even root-knot nematodes, making them ideal for vegetable gardens.
What is the best tasting marigold?
Citrus marigold flowers offer up zestful and citrusy flavors, reminiscent of orange soda and bright tangerine, while French marigold flowers provide dusky orange flavors and a marvelous texture, each edible flowers with stunning visual appeal.