French Marigold Scarlet Sophie Seeds - Tagetes patula

'Scarlet Sophie' is a unique, early-blooming variety that produces gorgeous camellia-like flowerheads, with rich mahogany red petals rimmed with gold, that turn bright red as they age. It blooms reliably from June until the first frosts, attracting numerous beneficial insects. French marigolds are incredibly easy to grow and gratifying. This particular variety forms medium-sized plants that are ideal for edging, borders or pots on the patio or balcony. Grow in well-drained soil, in full sun to part shade.

Tagetes patula, commonly known as French Marigold, is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the tropical regions of the North America and South America from Mexico to Bolivia. It is not very cold hardy, generally treated as an annual in colder climates. 'Scarlet Sophie' quickly forms a small, bushy clump, about 25-30 cm in all directions. The dark green, deeply divided leaves have an intense aroma that is sometimes deemed unpleasant. It flowers continuously from June to October providing spent flowers are removed regularly. This variety features fully double camellia-like flowerheads that measure about 6 cm in diameter. They are composed of numerous mahogany red ray flowers, rimmed with orange-yellow, aging to bright, flamboyant red. French marigolds self-seed easily however the new plants are not always true to type.

Marigolds are star plants in summer flower beds. Brightly coloured and cheerful with a tidy habit, easy to grow and floriferous, they are ideal for borders and window boxes. They can be planted in small patches alongside grey-leaved mugwort and stachys, green-leaved tansies or Kochia Childsii, or small ornamental grasses which will soften their flamboyant colours. Their orange, yellow or red blooms mix well with blue-flowering catmints or perennial flax.

Good to know: French marigold flowers are edible and can be enjoyed in salads, soups and desserts. Some people describe their flavour as reminiscent of passion fruit. The intensely aromatic leaves and the substances secreted by their roots repel various harmful insects, making marigolds an excellent companion plant in the vegetable garden.