Marigold flowers continue to be a popular bloom for at-home gardeners. These full flowers with a ruffled appearance are both cheerful and incredibly low maintenance. Learn more about these vibrant plants and how easy it is to add them to your garden boxes.
WHAT ARE MARIGOLD FLOWERS?
Marigolds are a popular annual garden flower due to their bright and cheery ruffled petals and tolerance to pests. The first record of marigold use was in a book published in 1552: the De La Cruz – Badiano Aztec Herbal. Around that time, early Spanish settlers took seeds from the Aztecs to transport back to Spain, and then to France and Africa.
As they spread, these gorgeous flowers took roots across cultures and religions. In Latin America, including Mexico, these stunning blooms decorated household altars for All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Those celebrating would also scatter these flowers around gravesites of family members who have passed on.
Those practicing the Hindu religion began using the flowers for religious ceremonies and to decorate statues of village gods during the harvest festival. The Aztecs themselves attributed the flowers to magic and religion.
By 1905, marigold flowers were exceptionally popular, largely due to the work of W. Atlee Burpee Seed Company. Burpee spent decades breeding these popular flowers, developing new colors, and improving their resistance to heat and drought. In 1939, the company released the very first marigold hybrid, which was shortly followed by a maroon-streaked flower.
Throughout the decades, his true pursuit was an all-white bloom. This desire led to a national marigold contest in 1954, with a $10,000 prize. A true white bloom was finally discovered during this contest in 1975.
Though Burpee popularized the flower, it’s not difficult to see why it’s remained a staple in many home gardens.