Photo by Kat Pearson.
BY KAT PEARSON, GIRL IN THE GREEN
Surely most people are aware of common marigolds. Be they French or African, they have that distinctive, if not exactly pleasant, scent and are a mainstay in grandma gardens. And whilst those countries are quite, quite different, I’ll forgive you for not knowing the subtleties of two plants. For the record, the French (Tagetes patula) are generally a shorter and a more compact plant, perfect for in and around your veggie patch (where they are reputed to repel many a bug), and the African (T. erecta) are taller and have more stately blooms.
But have you heard of Mexican marigolds – a.k.a passionfruit marigold or tree marigold? Unlike the annual French/African marigolds (which coincidently also actually come from Mexico – yay for common names), T. lemmonii is a perennial shrub and reaches heights of up to two metres!
During its peak flowering season (winter) it is smothered in open daisy-like flowers about the size of a 20-cent piece and the colour of pure sunshine. It is also likely to have a dusting of bees during the day as they buzz about their business. And the LEAVES! Well, the leaves smell just like passionfruit (hence the name!). My plant is right by my driveway, and I brush against it every day as I come and go, releasing its lingering fruity scent. And because it’s the leaves that smell, the smell is all year round, even when the flowers have disappeared and all that’s left is the pretty lacy foliage.
I highly recommend you search for a plant; I’ve seen them in local nurseries and even at the big green shed. They also germinate really easily from seeds (as do most marigolds). I’ve had a few self-seed from mine, but not to the extent that you would consider it weedy or a contender for taking over your garden (that award goes to my cosmos).
They are tolerant of dry dusty soils, and apart from a decent cut back after they finish their main flower (which helps keep them tidy), they are very low maintenance. Full sun is best to maximise those sunshine blooms, but they’ll happily do well in part shade too.
ABOUT KAT
I love gardening, and growing my own food and plants in general. I’ve been working on our current garden in subtropical Brisbane for the last five years but have been gardening for much longer in all sorts of places. I’m an ex-engineer, recently turned horticulturist (life’s too short not to work in something you love!). I grow edibles and ornamentals in an often wild, rambling jungle, filled with birds and bugs, including a handful of pet chooks and a dog (though to be honest you’re more likely to find him inside on the couch). Find out more at www.girlinthegreen.com.au.
