Bonanza Deep Orange Marigold delivers the double-petaled abundance gardeners crave in a genuinely compact frame. These French marigolds produce fully double, crested flowers in a rich deep orange that commands attention in beds, borders, and containers without sprawling across the garden. Hardy from zones 2 to 11 and reaching full flower in just 50 days, this open-pollinated cultivar combines old-fashioned charm with modern breeding for controlled, manageable growth. The compact habit makes it especially valuable for small spaces, window boxes, and mass plantings where you need impact without the height.
—
Moderate
2-11
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The double crested flowers are the real draw here, with layers of petals creating a fuller, more formal appearance than single-flowered marigolds. Plants stay genuinely compact, a trait that separates Bonanza from the gangly French marigolds that often flop over by midsummer. At 50 days from seed to flower, you'll be deadheading blooms before summer heat even arrives. The deep orange is saturated and jewel-like, a color that photographs beautifully and pairs well in nearly any color combination.
These marigolds thrive in beds, borders, and mass plantings where their compact form and saturated color create bold visual impact. Container growing is one of their strongest suits, particularly in window boxes and small pots where their controlled height and bushy branching fill space efficiently without overpowering the arrangement. The flowers can be cut for fresh arrangements, though their brief vase life makes them more valuable as living color in the garden.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds into a 72-cell flat or your preferred seedling container 4 to 6 weeks before your planned planting-out date, lightly covering the seed. For flowering plants in packs, sow 8 weeks before your desired bloom time. Maintain soil temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination.
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, hardening off seedlings gradually over several days to acclimate them to outdoor conditions. Space plants 8 inches apart in full sun.
Direct sow seeds 1/4 inch deep into the garden after frost danger has passed. Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart once they develop true leaves.
Pinching encourages branching and creates a bushier, fuller plant. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to keep blooms coming throughout the season and maintain the compact form.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.