African marigolds (Tagetes erecta): These marigolds have large, double flowers from midsummer to frost. Flowers may measure up to 5 inches across. They can grow as tall as 36 inches. African marigolds are excellent bedding plants. Tall varieties can be used as background plantings.

African marigolds are often called American marigolds. Actually, all marigolds are native to subtropical America, and have been cultivated in Mexico for over 2,000 years. Marigold cultivars are usually sold as part of a series with similar growth characteristics and a wide range of color. The following series perform well in South Carolina.

* ‘Antigua’ series marigolds grow 12 to 16 inches tall. They are compact with a mounded garden habit with blooms covering the entire plant. The fully double, 3-inch flower heads bloom well above the foliage. ‘Antiguas’ are available in a rich gold, orange, soft pastel yellow and a bright, clear yellow.
* ‘Crush’ series marigolds grow 10 to 12 inches tall. The plants are extra dwarf, with 4-inch flowers. Colors include ‘Papaya,’ a bright gold, ‘Pineapple,’ bright yellow, and ‘Pumpkin.’
* ‘Aurora’ series is an early bushy type for warm, humid climates. Colors include gold, light yellow, red, orange and brilliant yellow with red base.

French Marigolds (Tagetes patula): French marigolds are small, bushy plants with flowers up to 2 inches across. Flowers may be single or double, yellow, orange, mahogany-red or bicolored. Plant height ranges from 6 to 18 inches. French marigolds bloom from spring until frost. They hold up better in rainy weather than the larger African marigolds.

* ‘Bonanza’ series marigolds grow only 8 to 10 inches tall. All blooms have the protruding crested “eye.” Colors include a mahogany red with orange center, bright golden orange, yellow flecked with red and a rich golden yellow.
* ‘Bounty’ series marigolds grow 10 to 12 inches tall with 2-inch flowers. This marigold is dwarf, compact and does well in hot, humid summer weather. The flowers are borne on top of the plants, above the foliage in gold, flame or orange.
* ‘Little Hero’ series marigolds grow 8 inches tall with 2-inch double flowers. The heat tolerant-plants remain compact throughout the summer. Colors include gold, flame, red, yellow and orange.
* ‘Safari’ series marigolds have 3-inch anemone-type flowers on compact plants. They grow to 14 inches tall with yellow, tangerine, orange, scarlet and mixed gold and mahogony flowers.

Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia): These are small and bushy with lacy, lemon-scented foliage. Small, yellow, orange, or rust red single flowers cover the plants in summer. Many people who do not like other marigolds admire the delicacy of signets. The flowers of signet marigolds are edible with a spicy tarragon flavor. If bloom slows during midsummer, shear back the plants by one-third to encourage additional blossoms when cool weather returns.

* ‘Gem’ series includes ‘Golden Gem’ and ‘Lemon Gem’, the best-known signet marigolds. They grow to 8 inches tall and are dense with tiny, bright flowers.

Several less-known marigolds are grown as herbs or for their foliage. The first two may be hardy in warmer parts of South Carolina.

Tangerine Scented Marigold (Tagetes lemonii): The leaves of this southwest native are strongly scented of lemon and mint. Grows 3 feet tall.

Spanish Tarragon (Tagetes lucida): This anise-flavored marigold blooms in fall with many small, simple flowers. This is an excellent substitute for tarragon where the climate is too hot and humid for true tarragon to survive. Grows 3 feet tall.

Irish Lace Marigold (Tagetes filifolia): This is a short plant, with lacy leaves and tiny white florets. It is grown for the beauty and scent of its fine, dark green leaves.

Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis): Pot marigold is not a true marigold. This cool-season annual is grown for its bright yellow and orange flowers. It can be planted for early spring bloom near the coast or for spring or fall bloom in the rest of South Carolina. Pot marigolds are often grown as herbs.