Dainty Marietta French Marigold is a stunning dwarf cultivar of Tagetes patula that stops gardeners mid-step with its striking bicolor blooms: buttery yellow petals adorned with deep red patterned centers. This petite annual reaches just 12, 18 inches tall, making it elegant in borders, containers, and garden beds across zones 2, 11. It flowers prolifically within 50, 65 days from seed and thrives in full sun with moderate water, earning its reputation as a low-maintenance, high-impact choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and purpose.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
18in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The show-stopping color combination of yellow and red makes Dainty Marietta instantly recognizable among marigolds, but its real strength lies in what it does beyond looking beautiful. This variety actively attracts beneficial insects and pollinators while repelling harmful pests, turning it into a functional garden ally. Its compact, upright habit and petite blooms fit seamlessly into tight spaces where larger marigolds would overwhelm, and its drought tolerance means it performs well even when watering gets sporadic.
Dainty Marietta is primarily grown as an ornamental flower, prized for its striking bicolor display in garden beds, borders, and containers. Its pest-repelling properties and pollinator-attracting nature make it valuable for gardeners who practice integrated pest management and want to support beneficial insects in the landscape.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 4, 6 weeks before your last frost date. Keep soil temperature between 70, 80°F for best germination. Seeds should sprout within 7, 10 days under these conditions. Transplant seedlings into larger containers when they develop their first true leaves.
Harden off seedlings over 7, 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 12 inches apart, ensuring they receive full sun.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date and when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F. Plant seeds shallowly and keep soil consistently moist until germination occurs.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and maintain a compact, attractive form. Pinching back young plants when they reach 4, 6 inches tall promotes bushier growth and more prolific flowering.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.