French marigold Burning Embers - Tagetes patula seeds

The 'Burning Embers' French Marigold or Tagetes patula is an annual discovered in the garden of the famous botanist Carl Von Linné, the Swedish Linnaeus Gardens in Uppsala, Sweden. This historic flower has been grown there for many years. It is named after Carl Linnaeus, the father of the binomial Latin nomenclature of species. The flower is as distinguished as its origins, a beautiful mahogany-crimson red, delicately surrounded by a yellow border and illuminated by a yellow stamen heart, it then lightens to orange. The plant is tall, with a natural and airy habit. While it is useful in the vegetable garden, it is also very beautiful in flower beds.

Tagetes patula is an annual herbaceous plant of the aster family, native to tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico to Bolivia. It quickly forms a small spreading bushy clump, measuring about 25 to 30 cm in all directions. Its dark green and highly dissected aromatic foliage emits an odour that can sometimes be unpleasant. Its flowering extends from June to October, provided that faded flowers are regularly removed.

The 'Burning Embers' variety quickly forms a clump that reaches a height of 60 to 90 cm and produces magnificent single flower heads, with ligulate petals (the peripheral petals of the flower head) in a deep red, tinged with mahogany and bordered by a fine yellow edge. The central disc is yellow. These plants readily self-seed in the garden, although they do not always faithfully reproduce the parent variety.

French Marigolds are easy to sow and grow in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. They bring cheerfulness to summer flower beds where they produce abundant flowers. Their deep and flamboyant colour pairs well with grey foliage, such as Artemisias and Stachys, which can temper their brightness. Golden ornamental grasses are also beautiful companions. They can be paired with the blue flowers of perennial flax, blue salvias, or Damask Nigellas. In the vegetable garden, plant French Marigolds with Dahlias, Agastaches, and Nasturtiums. The flowers are edible and can be used to decorate salads, cakes, and cocktails.

The scent of French Marigold foliage and the substances secreted by their roots repel certain pests harmful to crops, which is why these plants are often planted in the vegetable garden.