Kee's Orange African Marigold delivers vibrant, dependable color from seed to bloom in just 56 to 70 days. This cultivar of Tagetes erecta grows 18 to 24 inches tall with a compact, bushy form that fills garden beds with warm orange blooms throughout summer and fall. Exceptionally drought tolerant once established and resistant to deer browsing, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and requires minimal fussing to perform beautifully. Japanese beetles and spider mites may occasionally visit, but hand-picking and proper spacing keep this variety healthy and flowering prolifically.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
24in H x 18in W
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High
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Orange blooms arrive reliably within 8 to 10 weeks from seed, making Kee's Orange a dependable choice for gardeners who want near-instant gratification. The plants attract pollinators and bloom continuously from June through November in most climates, providing steady color when many other flowers have faded. Once established, it shrugs off dry spells with ease, a trait that saves water and reduces midseason stress.
Kee's Orange African Marigold serves gardeners primarily as a long-season ornamental for beds, borders, and containers. Its compact growth habit and prolific blooming make it valued for creating solid blocks of warm color or for mixing into pollinator-focused plantings where its nectar attracts bees and butterflies throughout the growing season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Keep soil temperature between 65 and 75°F and maintain consistent moisture. Seeds typically sprout within 4 to 14 days. Thin seedlings or transplant to individual cells once they develop their first true leaves.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before transplanting. Move them outside after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space transplants 18 inches apart and water gently to settle soil around roots.
Direct sow seeds outdoors at the last spring frost date. Sow seeds thinly and space plants to 18 inches apart once they are established.
Pinch back young plants when they reach 6 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and more abundant flowering. Deadhead spent blooms regularly throughout the season to keep plants flowering longer into fall.
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