Producing an abundance of deep golden-yellow flowers throughout summer and well into autumn, this is a very showy annual, that can be used as a companion plant in the rose garden and vegetable patch to help repel aphids.
Signet marigold 'Golden Gem' has a compact habit, which makes it ideal for edging, or filling pots and windowboxes - and the petals are edible, so can be scattered over salads.
Tagetes are ideal for children as they're so quick and easy to grow. Choose a sunny, well-drained site and remember to deadhead regularly to keep them flowering.
How to care for Tagetes tenuifolia Golden Gem:
Grow young plants on in a bright, well-ventilated, frost-free space. Plant out in full sun into poor to moderately fertile, free-draining soil, as this species prefers conditions on the drier, leaner side.
Pinching is optional but can help them branch early; after that they need little more than regular dead-heading of any spent blooms (though they often self-clean) and only light feeding, as too much fertility can reduce flowering.
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, but well-drained soil, or general-purpose loam-based potting compost