The varieties in the Marigold 'Sparky Mix' are annual plants offering summer through fall interest. The plants grow to a mature size of 12 to 20 inches tall and set medium-sized flowers with wavy petals in shades of gold, yellow, and red, with some bicolors. Borne singly or in clusters on strong stems, the fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. They have a long vase life and can be dried for everlasting arrangements.
The Marigold 'Sparky Mix' contains Tagetes patula varieties, commonly called French marigolds. The plants have excellent branching and a uniform, upright, mounding habit of aromatic, finely divided, bushy foliage and a vigorous growth rate. Shown to best effect when massed or grouped, 'Sparky Mix' French marigolds are perfect for beds, borders, and containers; and they're an absolute must in a pollinator garden. French marigolds are excellent companion plants for organic vegetable gardens, as they offer natural pest control. They are well-known for repelling insects in the garden and are often grown alongside perennials as well as vegetables as they repel whiteflies and kill bad nematodes.
Easy to grow, 'Sparky Mix' marigolds grow best in a full sun location with average to dry, evenly moist, well-drained soil. They are generally pest and disease free and deer resistant. Although marigolds are low maintenance plants, pinching off the tops of established plants results in bushier plants with a heavier bloom and deadheading regularly encourages and prolongs flowering.
Direct sow marigold seed after the last frost and as soon as the soil is warm in spring or start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant after all threat of frost has passed.
