African Marigold Vanilla Seeds - Tagetes erecta

Vanilla' is an unusual hybrid variety that features large, soft, creamy white double blooms on strong stems from June to October. Very good garden performance and ideal for cutting! Heat and weather resistant, floriferous, African marigolds are superb annuals that really bring summer bedding schemes to life. Grow in well-drained soil, in full sun to part shade.

Tagetes erecta, commonly known as African Marigold, is a tender herbaceous annual that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to Mexico, Central America and the western regions of South America. It is not cold hardy and is generally treated as an annual in colder climates. 'Vanilla' quickly forms compact, well-branched, erect clumps, about 35 cm tall for a spread of about 30 cm. The sturdy stems are covered with dark green, deeply divided, shiny leaves with an intense aroma. The flowering period lasts several weeks from June to October, providing spent flowers are removed regularly. This variety features fully double, pompom-like flowerheads that measure 9 cm in diameter. They are composed of numerous wavy, cream-coloured ray flowers that are densely arranged into weather-resistant pompoms.

African marigolds are brightly coloured, cheerful annuals that are easy to grow, perfect for summer beds! They can be planted alongside perennials, annuals and even small shrubs; ornamental grasses will soften their flamboyant colours. Their abundant orange, yellow or red blooms mix well with blue-flowering catmints and perennial flax or poppies. 'Vanilla' also blends well with pink or apricot-coloured blooms, both in the garden and in summer flower arrangements.

Good to know: The intensely scented leaves and the substances secreted by marigold roots repel various harmful insects, making marigolds an excellent companion plant in the vegetable garden.