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The Dallas Arboretum has released its fall variety trial summary on the African Marigold. Jenny Wegley, senior manager of the trials and greenhouse at the Dallas Arboretum, writes:
“We happen to like marigolds at the Dallas Arboretum. They are easy to grow, heat tolerant, and they come in wonderful shades of yellows, oranges and gold. They are especially appreciated in our garden during the late summer and fall months. Other than chrysanthemums, there just aren't many plants that give exceptional fall color. Many years ago, Texas A&M Agriculture Extension extolled the value of "Mari-Mums" to everyone. Basically, they were telling us to plant African marigolds in the garden and just fib to our neighbors about them being mums. It really wasn't a bad idea. African marigolds planted in fall out-bloom any chrysanthemum we've ever tried. They have huge flowers of pumpkin orange and autumnal gold, and they are cheap! So we wondered, if the big-flowered African marigolds were so great for us here in Texas for autumn color, which variety should we use? There are many to choose from. So we turned to the Dallas Arboretum Trial Gardens to sort out the best of the group.
“We trialed 32 cultivars last fall and 34 cultivars this spring and summer. All of the varieties tested actually did very well for us, but we award our Arboretum Approved seal only to the best of the crop. Here are some of the varieties that really stood out:
* 'Perfection' series is a taller series, available in gold, orange, and yellow, that you can display in the back of your landscape. Or allow it to be the "thriller" in a container. 'Perfection' quickly reaches 30" tall by 15" wide. Keep this in mind when planting!
* 'Marvel' series is perfect for the middle of your landscape or the border and is available in gold, orange, or yellow. Highlight 'Marvel' in your containers as your "filler." 'Marvel' reaches 18" tall by 10" wide.
* 'Moonsong Deep Orange' is the best choice if you like a slightly deeper orange with a larger flower. This cultivar is ideal used as that "filler" in a container, in the middle of your landscape, or as a colorful border. 'Moonsong Deep Orange' reaches 15" tall by 10" wide. This variety looks like pumpkins on sticks!”
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