French marigold Legion of Honour seeds - Tagetes patula

The French Marigold 'Legion of Honour', known by its Latin name Tagetes patula, is a dwarf variety with single flowers in bicolour shades of orange-red edged with bright yellow. This well-branched, small annual plant with a neat habit offers abundant flowering throughout the summer. Its rapid growth and easy cultivation make it an ideal choice for borders and containers. Sow it under cover at the end of winter or in spring.

Tagetes patula is an herbaceous annual plant from the aster family, originating from tropical regions in both Americas, from Mexico to Bolivia. It quickly forms a small, bushy and branched clump, with a neat habit, reaching 20 cm in all directions, covered in dark green, highly cut foliage that is strongly aromatic, although its smell may not be pleasant. The flowering period extends from June to September, and faded flowers should be regularly removed. 'Legion of Honour' produces magnificent, single heads measuring 6 cm in diameter. The ligules are quite wide and surround a central yellow disc. This plant readily self-seeds in the garden, but not always true to the mother variety.

French Marigolds are easy to sow and grow in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. They brighten up summer beds with their generous flowering and intense colours, ideal to be softened by grey foliage like that of Artemisias and Stachys. Small golden grasses also blend in perfectly. To create contrasts, pair them with the blue flowers of perennial flaxes, salvias, or Love-in-a-Mist. In the vegetable garden, mix Tagetes with Dahlias, Agastaches, and Nasturtiums. Their edible flowers add a decorative touch to salads, cakes, and cocktails.

The scent of French Marigold foliage, and the substances secreted by their roots, repel certain insects harmful to crops, which is why these plants are often placed among the vegetables in the kitchen garden.