Marigolds are easy to grow, blossom reliably all summer and have few insect and disease problems. They have understandably been the favorite annual for many years. Marigold flower color ranges from yellow and gold to orange, red and mahogany. Several striped, bicolor and creamy white cultivars are available. Marigold leaves are finely cut and fernlike. Signet marigolds leaves are much finer than those of other types. Foliage (plants) color is rich dark green and in many cases is scented.

In African marigolds, the fragrance is not pleasant, but some other types are grown for their aromatic fragrance. Old English authors called this flower as Golds or Ruddes. It was, however, later associated with the Virgin Mary, and in the seventeenth century with Queen Mary. Marigolds are used for color massing, edging, borders, cut flowers and container plantings. Most varieties bloom from early summer until hard coolness. Marigolds require full sun and grow best in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Prepare your flowerbeds by mixing in pine bark or leaf mold to 6 to 10 inches deep. Most marigolds are hybrids. The different types of Marigold are as follows:
African Marigolds: These marigolds have large, double flowers from midsummer to frost. Flowers may measure up to 5 inches across. African marigolds are excellent bedding plants. African marigolds are often called American marigolds.

French Marigolds: French marigolds are small, bushy plants with flowers up to 2 inches across. Flowers may be single or double, yellow, orange, mahogany-red or multicolored. 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.

Signet Marigolds: These are small and bushy flowers with lacy, lemon-scented coolness. 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. If blooms slow during midsummer, shear back the plants by one-third to encourage additional blossoms when cool weather returns.

Pot Marigold: 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.