Wednesday's Story

A flower that is repelling..?

How could any flower with bright golden rod petals and spotted like a jaguar be repelling? Well, it’s not its outer beauty that is a deterrent, but its quiet strength to ward off many bugs that can do damage in our gardens. Sometimes we need to use our own repellent to keep away those pesky bugs (i.e. people) from invading our “gardens” too.

Find this flower and others in our print store.

points of interest

Solitary flowerheads having a single array of bright orange-yellow petals with interior dashes of maroon markings appear late spring to autumn. Plants are bushy, aromatic and compact, with hairless, purple-tinged stems and pinnate leaves composed of narrow, toothed leaflets. Suitable for the edge of a mixed border or containers.

general care

Best sited in full sun, planted in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Deadhead to prolong flowering and water during dry periods. Save seeds for surface sowing the next spring.

friday’s flower fact

French marigolds are excellent at repelling whiteflies, aphids and destructive nematodes; therefore a good choice for companion planting in your vegetable garden.