Marigolds are one of the most popular annual flowers grown in gardens around the world Known for their bright golden blossoms, these hardy plants bring sunshine to any landscape
In this article, we’ll showcase a variety of marigold pictures to highlight the visual appeal of this cheerful bloom. From closeups of fluffy flower heads to fields of marigolds waving in the breeze, these vibrant images demonstrate why marigolds have been cherished for centuries.
An Overview of Marigold Types
While all marigolds sport the trademark yellow or orange daisy-like flowers, there is actually quite a bit of diversity within this plant genus Some common marigold varieties include
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African Marigolds: The largest marigolds, these have fully double blooms 3-4 inches across in golden, yellow, and orange shades on tall, sturdy 18-30 inch plants.
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French Marigolds: More compact at 6-18 inches tall, these have smaller 1-2 inch flowers with both double and single rows of petals in red, yellow, and orange tones.
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Signet Marigolds: Featuring elegant single, daisy-style blooms in yellow, orange, mahogany, and bicolors on mounded 6-12 inch plants.
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Triploid Marigolds: With extra large 2-4 inch pom pom-style double blooms in bright lemon yellow and orange.
Vibrant Closeup Shots
A close inspection reveals the intricate details that give marigolds their visual appeal. Petals can be silky smooth or softly ruffled in hues from pale primrose yellow to deep coppery burnt orange. Dark centers provide striking contrast.
[Picture 1: Extreme closeup of a vivid orange African marigold bloom with delicate folds and curves in each ruffled petal]
[Picture 2: Macro shot of a bright yellow triploid marigold flower with a dark brown center “eye” and faint red picotee edging around each row of frilly petals]
[Picture 3: Shallow depth of field photo of a pale yellow signet marigold bloom with golden center on a blurred green background]
Sweeping Marigold Field Images
Few sights represent the essence of summer better than a field filled with marigolds in full bloom. The saturated colors and sweeping textures create an eye-catching display.
[Picture 1: Rows of orange and yellow French marigolds vibrantly blooming with green foliage in an agricultural field under a bright blue summer sky]
[Picture 2: Low aerial view of gold and burnt orange African marigolds blanketing rolling hills, covering the landscape in color]
[Picture 3: A red tractor harvesting marigolds, driving through a field of the golden flowers grown on a large scale]
Potted Marigolds Adding Patio Appeal
With their compact size and continuous bloom, marigolds are perfectly suited for containers. Pots and window boxes simply burst with marigold color and texture.
[Picture 1: Orange African marigolds and yellow Signet marigolds mingling together in a rustic ceramic pot]
[Picture 2: Cascades of yellow and mahogany French marigolds tumbling over the edges of a hanging basket]
[Picture 3: Vibrant orange triploid marigold blooms surrounding the base of a stately white planter]
Marigolds in Cuisine and Crafts
As a popular edible flower, marigolds often show up in kitchen and food pictures, adding their vibrant petals to salads, soups, and more. Their beauty is also harnessed for celebrations, decorations, and DIY craft projects.
[Picture 1: An appetizing green salad topped with bright orange marigold petals]
[Picture 2: A glass bowl filled with a colorful harvest of orange, yellow, and red marigold blooms]
[Picture 3: Orange African marigolds incorporated into a Dia de los Muertos altar next to decorative skulls]
Growing Tips for Gardening Success
Part of marigolds’ popularity comes from being so easy to grow. These marigold pictures provide tips for success:
[Picture 1: Starting marigolds from seed indoors under grow lights 6-8 weeks before last frost]
[Picture 2: Transplanting young marigold seedlings into the vegetable garden after danger of frost has passed]
[Picture 3: Watering marigolds in a garden bed using a watering can, keeping the soil moist but not soaked]
With their versatility, vibrancy, and charm, it’s clear why marigolds shine in so many photographs. Hopefully this showcase of pictures inspires you to fill your own garden with cheery marigolds this year!
All About Marigold: Varieties and Uses
The most common variety of Tagetes is African marigold (T. erecta), although not native to Africa, and mostly bred as cut flowers. The French Marigold (T.patula) was developed in France, although also not native to the country.
The Signet marigolds (T. tenuifolia) were derived from the wild form that is widespread across most of Mexico, Central America and Peru. Another lesser known a variety is T. minuta which is grown primarily for the foliage and used as a culinary herb in Peru and Ecuador, commonly sold in Latin grocery stores in a bottle paste format known as black mint paste.
Because of the pungent scent of some varieties, Marigolds are especially good for repelling insects and pests from garden plants, and as a companion plant for tomatoes, eggplant, chili pepper, and potatoes.
Due to the antibacterial thiophenes contained in the roots, it should not be planted near legumes crops.
The blossoms are rich in orange and yellow carotenoids, used in food coloring and as a natural dye for fabrics and wools. Marigolds are a host plant for some Lepidoptera caterpillars, and as a valuable source of nectar for butterflies, a strong reason to add marigolds to a butterfly garden planting.
Since seeds are easy to plant, and germinate quickly, they are frequently used in a children’s gardens. Marigolds are one of the most popular, and ubiquitous bedding plant available in nurseries, sold in the spring throughout the US.
Seeds sown directly in the garden should be placed 1 inch apart and will bloom approximately 10 weeks after sowing. When transplanting, allow 8 to 10 inches between plants, or 10-12 inches apart for the larger African varieties.
One of the reasons marigolds are so popular is because they do not require as much deadheading as other annuals, although removed dead blossoms will encourage new blossoms and new stems that add the overall appearance. Mulch is optional for young plants when they are first transplanted, yet it will keep roots moist, and discourage weeds.
All About Marigold: Origins
The common English name is derived from “Mary’s Gold”, yet the Latin name Tagetes is from the Roman mythology, named after Tages who was the founding prophet of the Etruscan religion, who according to legend, appeared at plow-time and taught the Etruscans divination. Perhaps for this reason, Tagetes took its namesake because it grows well in almost any sort of soil, with unusual tolerance to drought.
In pre-Hispanic Mexico, Marigolds were regarded as the flower of the dead, which led to their frequent use in the Day of the Dead celebrations held each year in the fall to remember friends and family who have died.
In Nepal, marigolds are highly celebrated and called “hundred-leafed flower”, referring to its many petals per blossom head. It is the main flower used in garlands and decorations at weddings, festivals and religious events.
name of different types of marigold flowers, various mTypes of Marigolds to Brighten Up Your Garden,
FAQ
Do marigolds like full sun or shade?
They require full sun all day long so keep that in mind when choosing their location. Marigolds can be direct seeded in the garden once soil temperatures reach 65 degrees. Larger transplants can be planted when the danger of frost is gone.
What should you not plant marigolds next to?
- Cabbage family plants are heavy feeders, so are marigolds
- Root competition becomes significant
- The strong scent of marigolds can actually attract certain cabbage pests
- Shade issues as both mature can lead to leggy, weak cabbage plants
Do marigolds keep bugs away?
It turns out that marigolds are well-known for bug repelling properties, too! Pesky bugs like mosquitos and whiteflies hate the scent of marigolds. They also attract good bugs that attack and kill aphids, so if you have an outbreak of those in your garden, try planting some marigolds!
What do full grown marigolds look like?
Marigolds have cheery, pom-pom, anemone, or daisy-shaped inflorescences in colors ranging from yellow and gold to orange, red, and mahogany. Some unique cultivars have striped, bicolor, or creamy white blooms.