Aztec Marigold

Tagetes erecta 'Kilimanjaro White' Asteraceae

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Annual

Biocultural value

In India marigold flowers are offered to the goddess Bhagwati during the fall Navrati festival.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Description

This variety has lovely 2-inch creamy-white blooms that really stand out in a crowd. White marigolds were long in the making; in fact, Burpee Seed Company spent 56 years of searching and breeding before finding success. After years of trying, David Burpee offered $10,000 to the first home gardener who sent in the right seeds to help make a real white variety; thousands of gardeners responded for years. One lady, Alice Vonk of Sully, Iowa, sent seeds for 21 years, and in 1975, Burpee awarded her the coveted prize for her work”after the company had spent 56 years and $250,000 testing during the contest years. Now there are several white varieties, including this beauty.

USDA Hardiness Zone

10

Special characteristics

flower type, other ethnobotanical uses