Tagetes erecta Fireball

The Fireball French Marigold, in Latin Tagetes (x) patula, is a fabulous novelty, truly unique due to its pompom flowers whose colour changes over time, from golden yellow to light orange and then to dark red, slowly in spring, more quickly if temperatures are high. The entire plant, multicoloured, forms a real flamboyant bouquet from spring to autumn. It is an exceptional annual plant that brings life to even the smallest balcony, as well as sun-drenched borders, even in dry soil.

The Tagetes (x) erecta 'Fireball' is a perennial herbaceous and tender plant, grown as an annual in most of our climates. This hybrid plant from the Asteraceae family is of horticultural origin, derived among others from a wild species paradoxically named African Marigold, native to Mexico, Central America, and the western part of South America. Its other parent, Tagetes patula, is native to tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico to Bolivia. The plant quickly forms an erect and branched bushy clump from the base, reaching 25 cm (9.8 in) in height and 30 cm (11.8 in) in diameter. Its sturdy angular stems bear large double flowers, terminal, with variable colours on the same plant, resembling large fluffy pompoms. This is a truly exceptional colour among Marigolds, which changes more slowly from yellow to red in cool conditions, such as those experienced in spring, than in midsummer.
Its leaves, 5 to 10 cm (2 - 3.9 in) long, are deeply divided and loaded with an essential oil with medicinal properties, whose characteristic scent is reminiscent of citrus and pepper, or even apple.

Marigolds are popular plants in summer beds, due to their very easy cultivation, in borders or in pots on the terrace. The strong stems allow to create beautiful summer bouquets. The 'Fireball' variety, a true flaming ball, naturally finds its place in planters and flower pots. It can also be placed in small touches among the grey foliage of artemisias and stachys, with ageratums, or surrounded by greenery, by combining it with tansies, Kochia Childsii, or small grasses that will temper its large double corollas. The Marigold is edible, and its petals can be added to summer salads to enhance their flavour and colour.

The scent of Marigold foliage, and the substances secreted by their roots repel certain pests that are harmful to crops, which is why these plants are often installed among vegetables in the vegetable garden. The Marigold, on the other hand, is also a medicinal and dye plant, from which an essential oil and a yellow food colouring are extracted.

Note: Please be aware that our young plants in mini-pots are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, frame...) at a temperature above 14C° for a few weeks before being installed outdoors once all risk of frost has passed.