African marigolds, with their vibrant colors and hardy nature, are a beloved flower for gardens around the world. Their striking blooms come in a diverse range of shapes, sizes, and colors – but what are the different types of African marigold flowers? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the many varieties of these classic garden flowers and help you choose the right ones for your needs.
A Brief Overview of African Marigolds
African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) originate from Mexico and Central America They are called “African” marigolds because European settlers first obtained seeds from South Africa.
These marigolds are annuals in most climates but can be short-lived perennials in very warm regions (Zones 9-11). They grow quickly from seed and bloom prolifically from early summer until first frost.
African marigolds thrive in full sun and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. They produce large pom-pom like flower heads on sturdy stems reaching 1-4 feet tall depending on variety. The flowers come in warm sunset shades of yellow, orange, gold, and mahogany
Now let’s look at the different types and cultivars!
Tall African Marigolds
These large African marigolds grow over 2 feet tall and produce very large flower heads – up to 5 inches wide! They make excellent cut flowers and really stand out in borders. Some popular tall varieties include:
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Crackerjack: Heirloom marigold with huge lemon yellow blooms. Grows to 3 feet tall.
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Jubilee Series: Hybrids with big double blooms in bold orange and yellow. Around 2-3 feet tall.
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Inca II Series: Sturdy plants with fully double 3-4 inch flowers in sunny colors. Grows 2-3 feet tall.
Medium African Marigolds
These marigolds reach 1-2 feet tall and have flowers 2-4 inches wide. The compact size makes them perfect for containers, edging beds, and mass plantings. Some great medium varieties are:
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Antigua Series: Abundant bicolored blooms in shades like orange-gold and yellow-red. 12-18 inches tall.
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Durango Series: Large double flowers resistant to heat and disease. 1-1.5 feet tall.
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Safari Series: Vigorous growers with big fully double flowers in warm sunset colors. About 1 foot tall.
Dwarf African Marigolds
The smallest African marigolds grow 6-12 inches tall and look great in borders, pots, and window boxes. Some top dwarf varieties include:
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Janie Series: Dense, bushy plants smothered in small fully double flowers. Just 6-9 inches tall.
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Little Hero Series: Early bloomers with crested double flowers in mix of sunny colors. Grows 6-10 inches tall.
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Petite Series: Profuse small single blooms ideal for edging and containers. Reach about 1 foot tall.
Unique African Marigolds
Beyond classic solid orange and yellow, there are unique African marigolds with eye-catching bicolor blooms:
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Disco Series: Dark central discs contrasting with yellow outer petals create a funky two-tone effect.
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Honeycomb Series: Bright yellow petal edges with deep mahogany centers.
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Miss Willmott: Pale yellow outer petals with bold red-orange central domed discs.
Signet Marigolds
This special African marigold type has edible flowers with a tangy citrus flavor. The lacy leaves also have a pleasant herbal aroma.
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Lemon Gem: Bright lemon-yellow single blooms. The leaves have a bold lemon scent.
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Tangerine Gem: Abundant small single orange flowers with fragrant ferny foliage.
Choosing the Right African Marigold
With so many wonderful varieties, which African marigold is right for you?
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For large vibrant flowers, go for tall marigolds like the Inca or Jubilee series.
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If you need compact, prolific bloomers, choose dwarf or medium varieties like Safari or Durango.
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For lively color, try bicolors like the Antigua or Disco series.
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For edible flowers, Signet marigolds like Lemon Gem deliver flavor and fragrance.
The beauty of African marigolds is their diversity – with smart variety selection, you can find the perfect flower for gardens big or small!
Good performers Marigold Big Duck Orange, a 2019 Top Ten Performing Annual in the U of MN WCROC annual flower trial
Annual marigolds are evaluated as part of the U of M flower trials and research. Located at the WCROC in Morris, MN, the Horticulture Display Garden serves as an All-America Selections (AAS) Display Garden and Trail Grounds and provides the public an opportunity to view the newest superior performers.
The following annual marigold cultivars were rated good to excellent in our recent trials:
- BigTop® series
- Big Duck series
- Proud Mari series
- French Bonanza series
- All marigold types should be grown in garden beds, but Signet marigolds can be grown in containers. They require full sun all day long so keep that in mind when choosing their location.
- Marigolds can be direct seeded in the garden once soil temperatures reach 65 degrees. Larger transplants can be planted when the danger of frost is gone.
- French and Signet marigolds can be spaced fairly close together to form more of a hedge while African varieties should be spaced at least a foot apart due to their large size.
Types of Marigolds
What are the different types of African marigolds?
All African types are from the species Tagetes erecta. Characteristics of these marigold flowers include their tendency for inflorescences to sit in a solitary fashion on slender stalks. Their colors range from yellow to red, and they are known to have been used by Pre-Hispanic peoples in various rituals.
How many types of marigolds are there?
There are five main types of marigolds each with their unique characteristics and beauty. African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta) have large flowerheads on tall stems growing up to two feet tall. French Marigolds (Targetes patula) are compact bushy plants with smaller, complex flowers in various combinations of reds, oranges, and yellows.
Are African marigolds Hardy?
African marigolds are hardy plants that will tower over your other landscape specimens in the best possible way. Their large, sometimes four-inch blooms will bring a beautiful display to your garden. These vigorous plants are easy to grow from seed and they only require some water, full sun, and a stake or two for support if they grow tall.
Is African marigold a sunflower?
African Marigold, scientifically known as Tagetes erecta, is a popular flowering plant that belongs to the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native to Mexico and Central America but is cultivated and appreciated worldwide for its vibrant blooms and numerous garden benefits.