Many magnificent marigolds

From the garden ELLEN PEFFLEY

The faithful, flowering annual marigold has withstood this rough summer. It has proved that it can take hot sun and keep on flowering. This is one that has a place in almost any landscape.

Marigolds are easy to grow and are not fussy about their soil. They can be set into the garden as a transplant but they are especially undemanding to establish from seed. Just plant the seed, give it a little water and, voila, up comes the plant.

The marigold is the to-go-to flower to get young kids excited about horticulture. The seed is an unusual shape, which kids might find fun. It is unlike other seeds that kids may have encountered — not like the watermelon seed, not like a cucumber, or a tomato, or a squash. It has a long, filamentous shape with a tan top and black lower part; it looks more like a splinter.

And because there are many kinds of marigolds, young folks (and adults) can choose several and not have a duplicate in the garden.

There is still plenty of time to order seeds from a catalog or find them discounted at home improvement stores or greenhouses.

Here are a few of the many kinds of marigolds if ordering from a catalog:

• Signet marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia). These are the common marigolds that are smaller, bushier, can be solid orange or bicolored. These are favorites in our dry climate.

• African or Mexican marigolds (Tagetes erecta). This is the tallest of the marigolds, up to 3 feet in height.

• French marigolds (Tagetes patula). These are smaller, have a more mounded growth habit and depending on the variety can be dwarf or several feet in height.

• Pot marigolds (Calendula officinalis). These are not true marigolds as they are in an entirely different genus, the Calendula and not Tagetes. It has a large plump flower head, usually orange. It is planted in the garden because of its pretty blooms and also because the flowers are edible. The petals have a peppery, tangy flavor. Be certain there are no pesticides on plants or flowers before consuming.

Marigold flowers bring a sunny disposition to a garden — especially the end of this hard summer. The flowers are perky and seem to invite a smile when walking into the garden — “look at me!” “I’m still here for you!”

Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.