Tagetes patula Queen Yellow Fire

The 'Queen Yellow Fire' marigold is part of a series of recent hybrids whose more or less double flowers, called 'camellia-like', are larger and more beautifully formed than those of traditional varieties. The flowers of this variety, combining golden yellow and blood red in a very regular pattern, have a unique personality. They bloom continuously until the end of summer on a sturdy plant, adorned with finely cut leaves. It is an easy and generous annual, which will undoubtedly bring a radiant touch to summer compositions and sunny borders.

The Tagetes Patula 'Queen Yellow' is an herbaceous and frost-tender perennial plant, grown as an annual in most of our climates. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and descends from a botanical species native to tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico to Bolivia. This plant quickly forms a compact, bushy, upright and ramified clump from the base, reaching a height of 25-30 cm (9.8 - 11.8 in) and a diameter of 30 cm (11.8 in). Its robust angular stems bear large semi-double flowers, mostly at the top, each bright yellow petal painted with a large red spot at the base. They renew themselves from June until the first frost. Its 5 to 10 cm (3.9 in) long leaves are deeply cut and loaded with an essential oil with medicinal properties, whose characteristic scent resembles citrus and pepper, or even apple.

French marigolds and African marigolds are star summer plants beds thanks to their very easy cultivation, in beds, borders or pots on the terrace. The strong stems allow for beautiful summer bouquets. The 'Queen Yellow Fire' variety is a natural for window boxes and containers. It can also be planted en masse in the border of a flowerbed or alongside a path, combined with the gray foliage of wormwoods and stachys, the blue flowers of ageratums, and the white carpets of alyssums. Its always combines successfully with foliage plants: tansies, Kochia Childsii, bronze fennel or small grasses (Stipa, Carex, fescues) will temper its flamboyant flowers. Marigolds are edible, and their petals can be added to summer salads to enhance their flavor and colour.

The smell of marigold foliage, and the substances secreted by their roots, repel certain insects harmful to crops, which is why these plants are often included in the vegetable garden. The African marigold is also a medicinal and dye plant, from which an essential oil and a yellow food colouring are extracted.

Please note that our young plants in mini-plugs are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, frame) at a temperature above 14C° for a few weeks before planting outside once all risk of frost has passed.