Marigold French Dainty Marietta Seeds

Tagetes patula 'Dainty Marietta' is a charming and compact annual, renowned for its petite, vibrant orange and yellow flowers with a slightly ruffled appearance. This variety boasts a uniform, bushy growth habit and offers a bright, cheerful display all summer long, making it perfect for borders, containers, and hanging baskets.

 

The genus Tagetes is named after the Roman god Tages, with patula referring to its spreading, bushy habit. Dainty Marietta stands out for its compact size and profuse flowering, with small, double blooms that add a touch of elegance and colour to any garden. The flowers are adored by pollinators such as bees and butterflies, while also serving as a natural pest deterrent, making it an excellent companion plant in vegetable gardens.

 

Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), Tagetes 'Dainty Marietta' is a reliable and highly productive variety, perfect for adding a burst of vibrant colour to your outdoor spaces. It thrives in sunny spots and is well-suited for creating bold, colourful displays in flower beds, pots, or hanging baskets.

 

This compact marigold grows to a height of 20 - 30 cm, making it ideal for the front of borders, as a filler in containers, or as a decorative edge along paths and beds.

 

Seed Qty: Approx. 150

 

Sow: February - April (indoors) or April - June (outdoors)

Germination: 7 - 14 days

Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil; neutral to slightly acidic pH

Height: 20 - 30 cm

Flowering: June - October

Companion Plants: Basil, Tomatoes, Lettuce

Avoid Planting With: Shade-loving plants

 

Tagetes 'Dainty Marietta' is easy to grow, requiring minimal care once established. Regular watering during dry spells and deadheading spent flowers will help extend the blooming season. Its heat and drought tolerance make it an ideal choice for summer gardens, and it is particularly useful for filling gaps and creating cheerful, long-lasting colour.

 

Sowing Instructions

Indoors: Sow seeds in trays or pots filled with moist, well-drained compost from February to April. Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost, as they need light to germinate. Maintain a temperature of 18-20°C. Transplant seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and harden off before planting outdoors after the last frost.

 

Outdoors: Sow directly into prepared soil from April to June. Scatter seeds thinly on the soil surface and gently press them down. Keep moist until germination occurs. Thin seedlings to a spacing of 20 - 25 cm to allow for healthy growth.

 

With its lovely small flowers and compact form, Marigold French Dainty Marietta is an excellent choice for adding lively colour to any garden. Whether in containers, borders, or hanging baskets, this RHS-endorsed variety will brighten up your space from summer to autumn.

 

RHS Seed Scheme Range