African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), also known as American or big marigolds, are tall, upright annuals producing large, fully double pom-pom flowers 3-5 inches across (sometimes up to 6 inches on select varieties), in bright solid colors of gold, orange, lemon yellow, or occasionally white/creamy tones, held high above the foliage on sturdy stems. The plants have dark green, pinnately divided, aromatic foliage that emits a strong, distinctive marigold scent when brushed or crushed, with a bushy to columnar habit reaching 24-36 inches tall (dwarf types stay shorter at 12-18 inches). The blooms are long-lasting in the garden and as cut flowers, attracting pollinators like bees while repelling many garden pests with their natural compounds. These marigolds are excellent for adding bold, cheerful color to borders, beds, or containers, and their size and vibrancy make them a classic choice for Utah gardens—they thrive in our hot, dry summers with full sun and well-drained soil, tolerate alkaline conditions common here, and provide reliable, season-long blooms from midsummer through frost when started with transplants for an early display.
