A favorite annual is the Marigold or Tagetes. Bold colours in Yellows, Oranges, Lemons Reds and Creams are a feature of these plants that flower from July to the first frost. Despite the names they all originate from Mexico.

• Easily grown from seed these plants flower quickly and can be sown in situ
• The ‘French’ varieties tend to be smaller flowers in clusters on bushy plants
• ‘Honeycomb’ and ‘Safari Tangerine’ have the award of garden merit
• Africans are larger and showy
• Some African varieties can grow up to 5 feet tall but have fewer poorer flowers although the finely cut leaves are still attractive. For a medium to tall selection try ‘Crackerjack’
• Marigold leaves keep white fly away from greenhouse tomatoes and I grow a few plants for that purpose. The roots are also reputed to kill or inhibit some weeds
• These plants are not to be confused with Pot Marigolds called Calendula