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Marigolds, unpretentious to growing conditions and undemanding in care, deservedly enjoy the attention of gardeners. Using varieties of marigolds of various colors, shapes and heights, you can build beautiful multi-level flower arrangements to decorate the territory of your backyard.
Variety of species
The popularity of annual and perennial flowering crops of the Astrov family, which is popularly called marigolds, is growing rapidly. The decorative garden flower got its name due to the velvet surface of the petals. A beautiful and bright ornamental plant with velvet petals is grown by gardeners in many countries of the world. The inhabitants of China consider this plant a symbol of longevity and call it a flower of a thousand years. Among gardeners in England, the name marigold is popular, which literally means “Mary’s gold” in English. On the territory of Ukraine, bright autumn flowers are usually called Chernobrivtsy.
As for the distribution area, various types and varieties of marigolds are found in central and eastern Europe, as well as in Asia, South America and Africa. So, on the territory of Mexico and South America, perennials Sofia, Bonita, Golden Domes and other small-flowered and large-flowered species grow resistant to various weather disasters.
Most varieties of tagetes, as marigolds are often called in the circle of breeders, are adapted to different climatic zones. A flowering culture does not require much attention and time from the gardener, it grows well and pleases with abundant flowering for more than one growing season. In the modern horticultural world, there are many varieties and hybrids of marigolds, which are classified according to the type and height of the bush, the shape of the leaf plate, the color and size of the bud.
Video: “Tagetes: planting and cultivation”
In this video, experts talk about the technique of planting and growing tagetes with small and large inflorescences.
Height of bush
In floriculture, classification according to the “growth” of plants is widely used. According to the height of the flowering shrub, marigolds are of the following types:
- dwarf – up to 20 cm;
- low, or undersized – from 25 to 45 cm;
- medium height – from 45 to 60 cm;
- tall, or tall – from 60 to 90 cm;
- giant – more than 90 cm.
Tall decorative cultures – Yellowstone, Smiles, Lemon Prince, Hawaii, Gold Dollar, Sunshine, Lemon Queen and Glitters – are used in landscape design to create flower arrangements on several levels. High cultures are planted along the walls of garden arbors and country houses. Representatives of this group of ornamental crops bloom from early summer until the first autumn frosts.
Medium-sized flowers are used to create rock gardens and multi-level flower beds. Often, shrubs of medium height are planted along outbuildings and residential buildings located on the territory of a personal plot. The most interesting medium-sized varieties of marigolds include: Golden Giant, Golden Ring, Kilimanjaro with white inflorescences, Orange Prince and cream Sweet cream.
The highlights of the group of low-growing marigolds are the varieties Alumiya, Supra yellow, Merigold Moonlight, Aspen red, Vanilla, Carmen, Orange snow, Bonanza, Valencia, Golden Age, Antigua, Mimimix, Orange Cupid, etc. Low shrubs serve as a true decoration of the garden plot. They are used to create various flower arrangements and design garden paths, open gazebos, arches and other architectural objects.
leaf shape
According to the shape of the leaves and the type of shrub, three main groups of marigolds are distinguished. These are erect, deviated and narrow-leaved cultures.
Erect, or African flowers have a reverse pyramidal shape of a bush, while the height of an adult flower can range from 35 to 110 cm. According to varietal characteristics, inflorescences are double, semi-double or simple. The maximum bud diameter is 13 cm. Upright flowering shrubs are suitable for decorating terraces, verandas and balconies, as well as for making bouquets. Taishan, Eskimo, Cupid, Velvet Season, Lemon Miracle, Amber Lace, Enterprise, Snow White, Alaska, Beach Season, Discovery, Crash and Prima Gold varieties are called prominent representatives of the upright marigold group.
Rejected species are often referred to as French, broad-leaved, and small-flowered. It is worth noting varieties such as Tiger’s Eyes, Red Cherry, Monetta, Carmen, Pascal, Rigoletto, Harmony, Little Hero, Harlequin, Safari, Marietta and Zenith triploid flowers. This group of flowering ornamental crops includes perennials with multiple branched and erect shoots, the height of which varies from 15 to 60 cm.
In gardening and landscape design, thin-leaved varieties of tagetes are used: Ursula, Lulu, Ornament, Red Gem, Gnome, Karina, Starlight, Paprika, etc. The color of the inflorescences is monochromatic and two-color. Due to the strongly developed shoots, the shrub has the shape of a regular ball, therefore it is used to decorate garden paths, driveways and multi-level flower rock gardens.
Flowers and inflorescences
Depending on the type of inflorescences and the number of reed petals, all varieties of marigolds can be divided into several subspecies:
- simple;
- semi-double;
- terry;
- chrysanthemum;
- anemic;
- cloves.
Simple flowers are inflorescences with a small number of central tubular flowers. These varieties are Lemon Jam and Paprika. Inflorescences of semi-double marigolds – Red Brocade and Golden Ball – already have several rows of reed flowers. The most lush are terry varieties, the inflorescences of which are formed from a large number of tubular and reed flowers. Representatives of terry and densely double flowering crops are the varieties Kalando, Eskimo, Cheerful Clown, Aztec Lime Green and Fantastic.
The buds of the clove-shaped varieties (Orange, Carmen and Black Velvet) consist mainly of reed petals, on the outer edge of which a slight dissection is noticeable. Representatives of the anemoid group (Durango and Durango Mix) have inflorescences consisting of large tubular flowers and reed petals framing them. Chrysanthemum flowering crops (Vanilla F1 and Taishan) are formed by tubular flowers.
In gardening stores, you can find marigolds in various shades of yellow, orange, red, white, cream, and even blue.
Growing and care rules
Despite their unpretentiousness to growing conditions, tagetes require minimal care. As experienced gardeners note, for normal life, abundant and long flowering, horticultural crops need timely watering and application of mineral fertilizers to the soil. Nitrogen-containing preparations contribute to active flowering and abundant growth of the vegetative mass, which is not always advisable in the autumn period. Autumn is the time to feed plants in the garden with potash and phosphorus fertilizers.
Removing weed grass, loosening the soil and watering are mandatory procedures for caring for these beautiful and vibrant horticultural crops. With proper organization of planting and care, marigolds will delight with long and rich flowering.