Seeds of Tagetes patula Alumia Vanilla Cream - French Marigold

Tagetes patula Alumia Vanilla Cream, also known as French marigold Alumia Vanilla Cream, has unique flowers, in a new colour, light lemon yellow, on semi-double heads. This variety forms low plants with a well-defined, bushy and branched habit, ideal for mass plantings. This fast-growing annual is easy to cultivate and blooms throughout the summer. Perfect for borders and containers. Cultivate in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Tagetes patula is an annual herbaceous plant from the aster family, native to tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico to Bolivia. It quickly forms a small, bushy and branched clump, with a well-defined habit, measuring 25 cm (10in) in all directions, covered with dark green aromatic foliage, deeply cut, strongly aromatic, which may be unpleasantly scented. The flowering period extends from June to September, when faded flowers are regularly removed. The 'Alumia Vanilla Cream' variety offers magnificent semi-double heads, over 6 cm (2in) in diameter, classified among Tagetes patula as 'anemone-like flowers'. The ligules (the flowers located at the periphery of the head, highly developed) flutter like butterfly wings, and are adorned with a unique colour for the species, a very light and bright lemon yellow, far from the slightly aggressive tones usually encountered in French marigolds. The centre of the heads is a brighter yellow, creating a beautiful harmony of shades. This plant readily self-seeds in the garden, but not always true to the mother variety.

French marigolds are star plants in summer flower beds. They are sometimes criticised for their garish colours and prim habit, but they are so cheerful, easy to grow and floriferous that it would be a shame not to enjoy them in borders and containers. The Alumia Vanilla Cream variety stands out for the freshness of its colour and will easily blend into highly colourful flower beds. They can also be placed in small clusters amidst the grey foliage of artemisias and stachys, or surrounded by greenery, by combining them with tansies, Kochia Childsii, or small grasses that will temper their flamboyant colours. French marigold is also an edible flower that can be enjoyed in salads, soups, or desserts. Some believe its flavour resembles that of passion fruit.

The fragrance 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 among the vegetables in the vegetable garden.