Tagetes patula or the French Marigold is a fast growing, bushy annual with strong-smelling, pinnately dissected leaves; the oils of which are often blended with sandlalwood and used in perfume making.
The showy flowers are quite frilled and resemble carnations but are more strongly colour contrasting in reds, yellows and oranges.
They are perfect as edging plants for borders and pathways while attracting butterflies to your garden.
They are also prized companion plants, especially in the vegetable garden where its root oils kill nematodes and its foliage secretions deter white flies - especially good with tomatoes.
French Marigolds are an essential part of summer colour, go well on banks and slopes, in containers and for making a splash of colour in city courtyard gardens.