Looking for a few beautiful marigolds to grow this year that will not only add huge color to your flowerbeds and containers – but also repel pests and bring in loads of pollinators?
Marigolds are absolute showstoppers in gardens, flowerbeds and containers. Not just because they’re easy to take care of, but also because they produce so many big, bright and colorful blooms. All with little to no effort. But what really makes marigolds special is how much more they can bring to your garden!
Marigolds are one of the easiest plants around to grow. In fact, planting them is as easy as scattering seeds into the soil. In addition, they are also superb self-starters – and when planted in flowerbeds, they often return on their own year after year simply from the blooms that fall and seed the soil below.
But perhaps best of all, marigolds often serve an even bigger role in gardens and flowerbeds – helping to repel a whole host of pests, including nematodes, whiteflies, hornworms, mosquitoes and more. All while bringing in bees, butterflies and many other helpful pollinators!
Why Marigolds Are The Best Annual To Grow To Repel Pests & Attract Pollinators
The scent of the marigold plant is extremely offensive to a long list of common garden pests. And with certain varieties of marigolds, such as the French Marigold, the aroma is even more offensive. That is good news for gardeners, because planting them in and around your garden and flowerbeds can help to keep other plants safe!
But all of those colorful blooms are also quite inviting to bees and butterflies – and even ladybugs – which also help to keep harmful aphids at bay. With that said, it’s hard to go wrong with marigolds, especially when planting any of the 6 fantastic marigold varieties highlighted below.
Each boasts big color, heavy blooms – and the uncanny ability to keep pests away. Here is an in-depth look at each, including seed links to each variety.
French Marigolds
French marigolds steal the show for helping out in flower and vegetable gardens. Not only are they a near perfect size at ten to twelve inches of height at maturity, their two inch blooms are big enough to bring a whole slew of pollinators and beneficial insects.
Listen In To Our Podcast Below On The Amazing Benefits Of Growing Marigolds
But more than anything else, these plants are at the top of the list for ease of planting. And when it comes to repelling pests and bringing in pollinators, their pungent blooms and foliage can simply outwork any other companion plant around – all while looking stunningly beautiful. Affiliate Seed Link: French Marigold Sparky Mix Seeds
Orange Flame
The Orange Flame Marigold has blooms resembling that of a double-layered flame of red and orange. It comes from the French variety of marigolds, which means it’s also particularly effective against repelling pests away from your flower beds and garden.
The compact flowering plant sports gorgeous double flowers. In addition, it grows from seed directly sown into beds with ease. It is perfect for placing in boxes, pots and border edges, all without being invasive to its neighbors.
Orange Flames can tolerate periods of drought with ease, and require little care. You’ll need to water when first establishing in the soil or pots, but beyond that, they tend to handle dry conditions well. Orange Flames also really take off with a bit of fertilizer too! See our article: How To Fertilize Marigolds – 2 Secrets To Keep Marigolds Blooming Big All Summer!
This marigold type needs full sun in order to truly shine. The more, the better! To encourage more flowering, deadhead spent flowers on a regular basis to keep new blooms coming on. Affiliate Link: Nana Champion Orange Flame Seeds.
Kilimanjaro White Marigolds – How To Repel Pests With Marigolds
Think marigolds only bloom in red, orange or yellow? Think again. The Kilimanjaro White variety is stunning with its pure white blooms. Blooms that contrast nicely with its deep green foliage.
If you like white flowers this should definitely be on top of your to-grow list. Kilimanjaro is actually fairly rare and its white blossoms will definitely stand out from other annuals. Its scent is slightly sweet, and much like other marigolds, known to help repel everything from nematodes to mosquitoes.
Kilimanjaro are tall plants that need full, continuous sun in order to thrive. Once mature, they burst out with vanilla-white blooms that can be up to two to three inches wide.
Their flowering period is from mid-summer to frost, but it may have slower bloom cycles during periods of extreme heat. It’s worthy to note that Kilimanjaro White is an heirloom variety, which means you can sow the seeds of spent flowers and watch it turn into its original parent.
However, nature and cross-pollination might occur if you have other marigolds in your garden or flower bed. If you grow other marigolds nearby, you may need to use fresh seeds every season. Seed Link : Kilimanjaro Marigolds
African Hawaii
The African Hawaii marigold is a towering giant compared to its other marigold kin. Make sure you leave enough room for these plants to grow to their full potential, and you can enjoy 4 inch beautiful orange flowers right up until the first frost.
Although its name suggests roots from the Hawaiian Islands, the Orange Hawaii actually hails from the mainland. Like nearly all marigold varieties, Orange Hawaii grows best when getting its fair share of the sun.
To make the most of your seeds or plants, seed or transplant after the threat of frost has passed. Pick a nice, sunny spot and plant with a bit of compost for added nutrients. This variety does not require a lot of additional nutrients, but does prefer soil that drains well.
The large blooms add big color to any space, all while helping to protect nearby plants from all sorts of invaders, from rabbits to mosquitoes, nematodes and more.
Orange Hawaii is large enough that it can withstand summer heat, but they will need a bit of additional watering during periods of extreme drought. Like most marigolds, they can benefit from a dose of all-purpose fertilizer a few times throughout the summer. Overall, they are an extremely low-maintenance annual.
Regular deadheading of the large spent blooms will keep the plant blooming strong all summer long. With the bloom’s size, a large pair of scissors or garden shears are best for deadheading. Seed Link: Orange Hawaii
Bon Bon Border Mix
Bon Bon Border Mix (sometimes referred to as Calendula Bon Bon), are often called pot marigolds. They do, however, share the same pest repelling characteristics as traditional marigolds.
As the annual matures, the greenery gives way to brilliant, multi-colored blooms of double yellow, orange and apricot flowers. This marigold variety is recommended to use as a border plant, but can also do well in pots and containers. It definitely grows in a more bushy style than most marigolds, but once it starts to bloom, it nearly covers the foliage with prolific flowering.
Growing requirements are practically non-existent, so you can sit back and take it easy and the plants will do their part. Seed Links : Calendula Mix Seed
Here is to growing some of the best marigolds around to repel pests and attract pollinators – and add big beauty to your flowerbeds and garden!
This Is My Garden
Follow Our Facebook Page For Great Gardening Tips And Advice! This Is My Garden Facebook Page
This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!