Anchored In Flowers had the opportunity to collaborate with our local Knights of Columbus, Council #4264, to bring a little token of joy and appreciation to the mothers of the parish church. The team sowed the seeds in late winter and we nurtured them along until they landed in those deserving hands. If you received one, please see the following for a description of the plant and how to care for it.
African Crackerjack Blend Marigold
You received an African Crackerjack Blend Marigold. The seeds are from Botanical Interests and are open pollinated, untreated Heirloom variety. These flowers are described as “ large, majestic marigolds…a superior blend with mounding form and consistent height, and sturdy flower stalks. The 4” blooms in tangerine orange, rich gold, and lemony yellow….make radiant, and long-lasting cut flowers.” These blooms are fairly drought tolerant and are deer and rabbit resistant.
Your plant is potted in a biodegradable coconut coir container. You can place the container and plant all together in the ground or in a pot. If you choose to separate the two, you can shred the container and scatter it in your garden or toss the whole thing in the compost pile.
Marigolds serve a variety of purposes in our garden. You can use these plants in just about any grow setting from the field to your porch, and see the benefits. Marigolds have a strong scent that repels many pests such as aphids, tobacco worms, cabbage horn worms and certain nematodes. Their blooms attract pollinators and those beneficial insects such as lady bugs. If you want to bring these joyful little blossoms into your home, cut early in the morning and choose the ones that are just about half open. The more you cut, the more they will bloom, so don’t be afraid to carry some of these inside or share with friends. Marigold seeds are easy to harvest when the plant begins to fade. Simply gather them in a small baggie, let them dry out and pop them in the freezer to sow next year!
On behalf of the AIF team, we wish you a very blessed and happy Mother’s Day!