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Decide what size marigold you want to grow. There are four main groups of marigold species, and each of them produce variations in color and size.[5]
• African marigolds come in two basic varieties: “large-flowered” and “tall.” Large-flowered African marigolds are fairly short, at between 12-14” tall, but as the name suggests have very large blossoms (up to 3.5” inches in diameter). Tall African marigolds have small flowers but can grow up to 3’ tall. Both almost always produce orange or yellow flowers. African marigolds may also be referred to as “American” marigolds.
• French marigolds come in two basic varieties: “large-flowered” and “dwarf.” Large-flowered French marigolds are between 12-16” tall with large (up to 2”) flower blossoms. Dwarf French marigolds rarely grow higher than 12” and produce small flowers. French marigolds come in varieties of yellow, gold, and orange.
• Triploid marigolds are a hybrid of French and African marigolds and are also sometimes known as “mule” marigolds because they cannot reproduce. They grow fairly tall and produce large (up to 2”) flowers.
• Single marigolds are also known as signet marigolds. They are quite different in appearance from other marigold varieties because their flowers have very simple, almost daisy-like flowers rather than the thick, bushy blossoms of most other marigold types.