French marigold Queen Sophia - Tagetes patula seeds

The 'Queen Sophia' organic Dwarf French Marigold, scientifically known as Tagetes patula, is a generous variety with large double flowers in pompom shape, bright red margined with golden yellow. The well-branched plant has a low habit with a neat appearance. This annual grows quickly and is easy to cultivate, blooming all summer long. Perfect for borders, containers, or repelling pests in the vegetable garden. Sow indoors in late winter or spring.

Tagetes patula is a herbaceous annual plant from the asteraceae family, native to tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico to Bolivia. The 'Queen Sophia' variety quickly forms a small, bushy and branched clump, with a neat habit, reaching about 30 cm in all directions, covered with dark green aromatic, deeply cut, highly fragrant foliage, whose scent can be unpleasant. Flowering occurs from June to September, provided faded flowers are regularly removed. 'Queen Sophia' produces magnificent semi-double to double flower heads, with a diameter of more than 6 cm. The ligules are bright red, margined with golden yellow. This plant self-seeds easily 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 bring cheer to summer beds with their abundant flowering. Their deep and flamboyant colour makes them perfect companions for grey foliage plants like Artemisias and Stachys. Golden ornamental grasses also make beautiful companions. They can be paired with blue flowers like perennial Flax, Blue Sages, or Love-in-a-Mist. In the vegetable garden, plant Tagetes with Dahlias, Agastaches, or Nasturtiums. The flowers are edible and can be used to decorate salads, cakes, and cocktails.

The scent of French Marigold foliage and the substances secreted by their roots repel certain pests, which is why these plants are often planted among vegetables in the garden.