Like all marigolds, these are synonymous with bright yellow-orange colours in the summer. Plant them out to make patterns, edging along paths or to make blocks of colour. They are also superb in pots and containers and window-boxes.

African marigolds flower for a long period and enjoy hot spells, after all they come from the dry desert-like areas in the wild and have some degree of drought-tolerance. Dead-head whenever necessary to encourage more flowers to be produced. Grow them from seed or buy they in mail order as plant plugs. Watch out for the usual range of pests if you grow them inside.

Looking Good:
Go to Ryton Organic Gardens in summer to see the use of these plants against pests.

Best With:
Best grown with Alyssum or Nemesia (try to avoid the all too common red salvias!).