What’s the trademark of fall gardens? Chrysanthemums, of course. While their blooms are the star of the show, their hardiness is the cherry on top for gardeners.
Don’t get me wrong, these plants are fabulous (I’m smitten, too), but are they really the be-all and end-all?
The answer is no! One bloomer is ready to step up and steal the spotlight in your garden. Ready to shake things up with a stunning fall display that skips the mums?
Marigold For The Win!
Didn’t see that one coming, right? When you think about it, these plants have large bloom heads and come in perfect fall colors, so they’re ideal substitutes for mums.
Marigolds are, indeed, super popular plants but they aren’t commonly chosen for fall planters.
The reason? Height. So, why choose them over mums? Well, there are dwarf varieties of marigolds that will fit perfectly into pots without the risk of falling over.
For instance, you can go with Signet or French marigolds because they typically don’t go over 12 inches.
As an added bonus, these varieties are hardy, so you don’t have to worry about cool weather destroying them. They’re also colorful, which means they’ll be the stars of the show, just like mums!
Follow These Tips For Your Marigolds To Thrive
Of course, we want our marigolds to flourish and produce as many blossoms as possible. So, how can we get there?
One of the essential things is to pinch the old flowers once they start fading away. Remember that dead blossoms keep using the plant’s energy, so we must remove them.
Your marigolds will be in tip-top shape and have enough nutrients to survive through the cold months.
If you’re worried about watering marigolds, I have good news for you. Their watering needs are very similar to mums.
Both potted mums and marigolds require more water than their in-ground-grown counterparts. Make sure to water your marigolds around the base of the plant, not over the top.
If the days are super hot and sunny, irrigate only during the morning or late afternoon to avoid heat damage.
Last but not least, you must provide your marigolds with enough full sun. When compared to chrysanthemums, marigolds need even more sun, so pay close attention to their position.
6 hours of full sun per day is actually a secret formula that’ll keep your marigolds thriving and encourage them to bloom abundantly!
But Pay Attention To This!
I’ve already mentioned that marigolds aren’t a popular choice for pots because of their height, so you need to be extra careful here.
A rule of thumb: don’t go to a nursery store and randomly choose marigold varieties.
Yes, I know they’re all beautiful but your goal is a healthy and thriving fall garden. So, do your research. Make sure to check the expected height of each variety available.
Standard marigolds grow pretty tall, sometimes over 36 inches, so they’re best suitable for in-ground planting.
Look, you can still stake them and ensure the structural support, but it affects the overall appearance. If you want the wow effect you would get with mums, then shorter varieties are the only proper choice.
If mums aren’t your cup of tea this fall, marigolds are your best bet. Their beauty is unmatched and they’ll bloom with hardly a fuss!