Marigold Red Cherry Seeds

A long flowering French marigold producing rich mahogany red very double blooms often delicately edged with gold.

 

Compact bushy plants create a dense summer display that works equally well as a colourful edging in borders a focal block in mixed beds or a bright accent in containers and window boxes.

 

Red Cherry is valued for its reliable performance its strong flower coverage and its ability to lift vegetable plots and pollinator mixes with sustained colour.

 

Seed Qty Approx 60

 

Sow Sow February to May under cover for earlier displays; direct sow outdoors after risk of frost in late spring.

Germination 7 to 14 days in warm conditions; sow shallowly on a fine moist compost and cover lightly.

Soil and Position Suited to all soil types acidic alkaline or neutral; prefers full sun and good drainage; tolerates light shade but flowers best in bright sun.

Height Approx 25 cm; compact neat habit ideal for edging mixed containers and massed bedding.

Flowering July to September with abundant summer blooms; regular deadheading encourages prolonged flowering and prevents excessive self seed.

Good Companions Bedding plants vegetables where companion marigolds help deter some pests pollinator friendly herb and flower mixes.

 

Sowing Instructions

 

Sow thinly February to May on a warm windowsill or in a propagator into trays of moist compost. Cover seeds with a very light dusting of sieved compost or vermiculite keep at a steady warm temperature and maintain even moisture. Prick out when seedlings are large enough to handle and grow on in a bright sheltered position before hardening off. Plant out after all risk of frost spacing plants about 20 to 30 cm apart for best effect.

 

For direct sowing wait until soil is reliably warm and thin seedlings to the strongest plants.

 

Grow and Maintenance

 

Plant in full sun in free draining soil and water regularly while establishing. Avoid waterlogging and feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser at three to four week intervals during the main flowering period to support heavy bloom production. Remove spent flowers frequently to encourage continuous flowering and to keep plants tidy. Cut back leggy growth by a third to reinvigorate plants and promote a second flush of blooms. Use containers or edging troughs to control spread and make maintenance easier. Mulch lightly in summer to retain moisture and apply a gravel top in heavier soils to improve surface drainage.

 

Marigold Red Cherry is excellent for formal edging mixed summer borders container displays and patio tubs. The dense double blooms make attractive cut flowers for informal bouquets and pot displays. As a companion plant in vegetable beds Red Cherry helps mask pests and may reduce nematode pressure when used in rotation.

 

The flowers attract bees hoverflies and other beneficial insects helping to support pollination in nearby plants. Plants also provide visual contrast when paired with blue purple and silver foliaged plants.