French Marigold Tagetes patula 'Yellow Jacket' (Jacket Series)
ABOUT
Tagetes patula 'Yellow Jacket' is a member of the marigold family known for its vibrant and showy flowers. The 'Yellow Jacket' variety is particularly characterized by its bright yellow flowers that are double and pom-pom-like, with densely packed petals. The blooms can sometimes show hints of a reddish-orange hue toward the center that gradually fades to a pure yellow as it extends outwards. These marigolds have a typical daisy-like flower structure, though more fluffy and abundant in petal count, which provides a full and eye-catching appearance. The foliage of the 'Yellow Jacket' marigold is dark green and ferny, with leaves that are finely divided and feathery to the touch. This offers a contrasting backdrop that makes the yellow flowers stand out even more vibrantly. The leaves can give off a distinctive, strong scent when touched or brushed against, which is typical to the marigold species. As a flowering annual, the Yellow Jacket marigold displays a bushy growth habit with branches that spread outwards, filled with flowers and leaves that create a lush and vibrant look. The flowers are generally distributed throughout the plant, offering a continual and prolific display of color throughout the blooming season. These plants are popular in gardens and landscapes for their ornamental value and ease of care, often used in flower beds, borders, and as companion plants in vegetable gardens due to their pest-deterrent qualities.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
French Marigold, Marigold Yellow Jacket.
Common names
Tagetes patula 'Yellow Jacket'.
ToxicityTo humans
The French Marigold is generally not considered to be toxic to humans. However, some individuals may experience allergic reactions or dermatitis from handling the plant due to sensitivity to its foliage or sap. If ingested, it is not typically harmful, but consumption in large quantities could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or vomiting. Always exercise caution and keep plant material out of the reach of small children, who might be more sensitive to its effects.
To pets
French Marigold is generally considered to be non-toxic to pets. However, it is always best to discourage pets from eating plants as individual animals may have varying sensitivities. Some pets might experience mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, if they consume large quantities of the plant. As with any non-food plant, it is prudent to monitor your pets around French Marigolds and prevent them from ingesting the plant material.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Americas
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetically Pleasing: Tagetes patula 'Yellow Jacket', commonly known as French Marigold, has vibrant yellow flowers that add color to garden beds and landscapes.
- Pest Deterrent: French Marigolds are known to repel harmful insects and nematodes in the soil, providing protection for other plants in the vicinity.
- Companion Planting: These plants can be used in companion planting to help enhance the growth of vegetables and other flowers by deterring pests.
- Easy to Grow: French Marigolds are fairly easy to grow and maintain, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Attracts Beneficial Insects: While they deter harmful pests, these marigolds attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination.
- Durable: They are quite hardy and can tolerate a range of soil conditions, as well as some degree of drought once established.
- Long Blooming Period: French Marigolds offer a long flowering season, often from early summer to frost, providing lasting color in the garden.
- Edging and Borders: With their compact size, they work well for edging and creating defined borders in garden designs.
- Container Gardening: Due to their size and growth habit, these marigolds are also suitable for container gardening, allowing for flexibility in placement and design.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The bright yellow blooms of the French marigold can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics and textiles, lending a vibrant yellow hue.
- Insect repellent for gardens: French marigolds are often planted in vegetable gardens to repel harmful insects like nematodes and aphids due to their pungent aroma.
- Companion planting: French marigold is used in companion planting to enhance the growth of other plants and vegetables like tomatoes by deterring pests.
- Chicken feed additive: The flower petals can be added to chicken feed to naturally enhance the color of egg yolks with the carotenoids present in the blooms.
- Culinary decoration: The petals of the French marigold are edible and can be used as a colorful garnish on salads and desserts.
- Festive decor: In cultural festivals like Day of the Dead, French marigolds are used to decorate altars and graves as they are believed to invite the spirits of the dead.
- Natural food coloring: The petals of French marigold can be used to color foods and are a more organic alternative to artificial food colorants.
- Biological control plant: French marigolds can be used in greenhouses to trap insects such as whiteflies, serving as a sacrificial plant.
- Plant crafts: The flowers of the French marigold can be used in flower crafting, such as pressing for art projects or making potpourri.
- Soil health indicator: The growth and health of French marigolds can signal soil conditions, helping gardeners assess soil quality and nutrient levels.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe French marigold is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe French marigold is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: Tagetes, commonly known as Marigold, is often associated with providing protection because it's historically been used to keep pests away in gardens.
- Beauty and warmth: The vibrant yellow colors of the 'Yellow Jacket' Marigold symbolize radiant beauty and the warmth of the sun, reflecting its cheerful appearance.
- Love and affection: In some cultures, giving marigolds represents a display of love and affection towards a friend or loved one.
- Remembrance: Marigolds are sometimes used in commemorations or ceremonies to honor the deceased, signifying remembrance and the beauty of life after death.
- Resilience: Marigolds are hardy and can thrive in challenging conditions, symbolizing strength and the ability to overcome difficulties.
WaterFrench marigolds require consistent moisture but do not tolerate waterlogged conditions. It's best to water deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time, depending on weather conditions. During hot, dry periods, increase watering frequency to twice a week. Use a watering can or hose to apply water directly to the soil around the plants, avoiding wetting the foliage to prevent disease. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering; if it's dry to the touch, it's time to water.
LightFrench marigolds thrive in full sun conditions where they can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for these flowers is an area that's open and unobstructed by shade for most of the day. They can tolerate light shade but will produce fewer blooms as the amount of sunlight decreases.
TemperatureFrench marigolds prefer warm temperatures and perform best when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 75°F, but they can tolerate a range up to 90°F. They're sensitive to cold and should not be exposed to temperatures below 35°F, as frost can be lethal to them. Plant or move outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed.
PruningPruning French marigolds involves deadheading spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowering throughout the season. Trim off any dead or damaged foliage to maintain plant health and appearance. The best time for pruning is in the late afternoon or evening when the plant is less stressed by the heat of the sun.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFrench Marigolds thrive in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mix of two parts garden soil to one part peat moss or compost with some sand for drainage makes an ideal soil mix. They prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer will keep them blooming vigorously.
RepottingFrench Marigolds are generally grown as annuals, so repotting is not usually necessary. If starting indoors, transplant them to the garden after the danger of frost has passed.
Humidity & MistingFrench Marigolds aren't particularly humidity-sensitive and do well in average garden conditions. They thrive in outdoor settings where the relative humidity generally mirrors the ambient conditions without requiring special attention.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot, water regularly, enrich soil.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleFrench Marigold 'Yellow Jacket' starts its life cycle with seed germination, which typically occurs when soil temperatures reach about 70°F and after the last frost has passed. The seedlings emerge and grow into young plants, developing true leaves and branching stems. As they mature, the plants begin to form flower buds, which bloom into the characteristic bright yellow flowers. After pollination, which is often aided by insects, the flowers produce seeds and the plant enters a phase of senescence. Eventually, the parent plant dies, but the seeds fall to the ground, where they can overwinter and begin the cycle anew the following spring. If left undisturbed, this annual plant can re-seed itself, perpetuating its presence in the garden year after year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Propogation: For French Marigold 'Yellow Jacket' (Jacket Series), the most popular method of propagation is by seed. The best time to sow the seeds is in the spring, typically after the last frost when soil temperatures have warmed up to around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius). To propagate, seeds should be sown lightly covered with soil at a depth of about 1/8 inch (around 3 mm) in a well-drained starting mix. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings usually emerge in 4 to 14 days, and once they've grown large enough to handle, they can be transplanted to their final growing locations. This method works well because French Marigold seeds are generally easy to germinate, and plants will flower in the same growing season.
