FRANCES’ CHOICE MARIGOLD

Tagetes patula

Frances Hoffman was an avid seed saver and conservationist that contributed signicantly to the seed trade in the late 20th century and beyond. Dr. Alan Kapuler of Peace Seeds bred and selected many marigolds in the same era, and among them was this beauty, said to be Frances' favorite.

These plants are big and bushy and floriferous. Tons of stunning fragrant flowers open a deep mahogany with thick golden picotee. Fantastic for for cutting. Mahogany fades to a brushstroke of red after a week or so, but the petals hold almost indefinitely. Grows to at least 3', and sometimes much larger where it is happy. Did spectacularly well for us in 2025 when so many other plants suffered in waterlogged clay and then scorching heat and drought. Blooms summer through autumn, right up to the first hard freeze. Produces flowers continuously without deadheading.

Marigold seeds can be sown directly into the garden in late spring, but we tend to start them indoors four to six weeks before transplanting into warm sunny soils after all danger of frost has passed. Deerproof and drought-tolerant once established.

Grown by Farmacie Isolde.

Packet contains at least 50 seeds.