Tagetes patula
 
Known for their vivid gold, orange, and red bicolored blooms, Sparky French Marigolds are a favorite for brightening up borders, containers, and vegetable gardens alike. The compact plants are easy to grow and will flourish with minimal care—even in poorer soils. Besides their ornamental charm, French marigolds are often grown as companion plants to help deter certain soil pests and attract pollinators to the veggie patch.

French marigolds have a long history in ornamental horticulture, but Sparky Mix made a striking entrance in the late 1970s. Credited with producing extra-frilly, semi-double blooms in fiery hues, it quickly rose in popularity. It became widely available through seed catalogs by 1979, around the time it gained recognition as an All-America Selections winner—a testament to its vigor and eye-catching floral display.
 
~1/4-1/2 tsp seeds minimum per packet. Germ 82%  01/25.