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Marigold 'Sweet Mace' Organic
Marigold 'Sweet Mace' Organic
Organic Seed

Marigold 'Sweet Mace' Organic

Tagetes lucida
Introduced in 1798 from its native Mexico, this edible flower was once known as Sweet-Scented Chili Marigold, but today is more commonly known as Mexican Tarragon. Lucida means shining, referring to the shiny aromatic leaves that offer a rush of sweet anise scent when bruised. A winner in our trials, it looked perfect all summer and fall, not bothered by weather extremes or insects, and becoming adorned in summer with clusters of petite yellow blooms.
SKU #S264OG
$4.00
Details
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
62
Lifecycle
Annual
Annual Hardiness
Half Hardy Annual
Mature Size
1.5-2.5' h x 1-1.5' w
Sun
Full sun
Soil
Regular to rich, moist, well-drained
Season
Summer to fall
Color
Bright yellow
Features
Scented Leaves
Great Cut Flower
Deer Resistant
Heat or Drought Tolerant
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Bees
Attracts Beneficial Insects
Notable
Certified Organic Seed Available
SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
Just cover
Sprout Time:
4-14 days
Seed To Bloom:
8-10 weeks
Starting Indoors:
Sow 6-8 weeks before last frost. Sow seeds thinly and keep at 65-75°F.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow at last spring frost date.
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
After last frost.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
The anise-scented foliage of sweet mace is handsome and fresh-looking all season long, the tips studded with gold blooms. A cottage garden inhabitant, sweet mace is especially beneficial in the veggie garden, repelling insect pests and harmful nematodes in the soil while attracting beneficial insects. The edible leaves are used as a tarragon substitute in its native Mexico, and it is a sought-after dye plant, the leaves producing a natural golden yellow dye that deepens to a rich, burnished hue when flowers are added to the dye pot.
Final Spacing:
8-12"
Water Requirements:
Medium Water Use
Watering Details:
About 1" per week, though it will tolerate some drought once established.
Soil pH:
Prefers slightly acidic to neutral.
Fertilizer:
Mix in about an inch or two of compost or some organic granular fertilizer when transplanting. Flowers well with little added fertilizer, too much and foliage will be lush and flowers less abundant.
Diseases & Pests:
Be sure to space properly to increase air circulation and avoid fungal issues such as leaf spot. Japanese beetles can be hand-picked into a bowl of soapy water. If insects such as spider mites, aphids, thrips, or whiteflies are an issue, treat with an insecticidal soap.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
Harvest when fowers are fully open.