Tagetes erecta nana F1 Vanilla - African Marigold

The 'Vanilla' F1 African Marigold, a variety of Tagetes erecta nana, is an annual plant with a compact and branching habit. It is adorned throughout the summer with large, very double and bright flowers, resembling cream-white pompoms. They appear from June until the first frost, on top of a beautiful clump of stems carrying a highly cut, aromatic foliage of a beautiful dark green shade. Its cultivation is very simple and within the reach of all gardeners, as this plant will grow and bloom even in poor and dry soil. Its flowers are perfect in bouquets, containers, and borders.

The 'Vanilla' F1 Marigold is a perennial herbaceous and tender plant, grown as an annual in most of our climates. This plant, belonging to the Asteraceae family, is of horticultural origin, derived among others from a wild species paradoxically named African Marigold, native to Mexico, Central America, and the western part of South America. It quickly forms a bushy and branching clump from the base, reaching a height of 40 cm (15.7 in) with a diameter of 30 cm (11.8 in). Its sturdy angular stems bear large double flowers (9 to 10 cm (3.5 - 3.9 in) in diameter), terminal, white-cream in colour resembling large fluffy pompoms. This is a truly exceptional colour among Marigolds. Its leaves, 5 to 10 cm (2 - 3.9 in) long, are deeply cut and filled with an essential oil with medicinal properties, whose characteristic scent resembles citrus and pepper, or even apple.

Marigolds are star plants in summer flowerbeds, thanks to their very easy cultivation, in borders or in pots on the terrace. The strong stems allow for beautiful summer bouquets. The 'Vanilla' variety, with its pastel flowering, echoes the nostalgic large pompoms of annual poppies, and enables very pretty combinations with pink, blue, or apricot flowers. It can also be planted in small clusters amidst the gray foliage of wormwood and lamb's ear, with ageratums, or surrounded by greenery, by pairing it with tansies, Kochia Childsii, or small grasses that will temper its large double corollas. This marigold is edible, and its petals can be added to summer salads to intensify their flavour and colour.

The Marigold is also a medicinal and dye plant, from which an essential oil and a yellow food colouring are extracted. The scent of its foliage and the substances secreted by its roots repel certain pests, especially nematodes, which is why these plants are often installed in the vegetable garden.

Please note that our young plants in mini-plugs are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, frame) at a temperature above 14C° for a few weeks before planting outside once all risk of frost has passed.