30/08/2025
Let's take brief hiatus from the diva dahlias to have a moment to appreciate the marigold (not the pot marigold, but tagetes).
The seeds for these tall marigolds are always labelled as 'African' marigolds, which I've since found out is a bit of a misnomer. They are actually native to Mexico and Central America. They were introduced to Africa and then made their way via trade routes to Europe and ultimately over time their Aztec origin was mislabelled. The Aztecs called them cempasúchil, which means"twenty petals". They didn't mess around did they?
Marigolds aren't show offs like the dahlias (also native to Mexico!), but gee whiz I love them. Their distinctively pungent smell puts some people off, but it reminds me of the shorty varieties we'd grow in the garden at home, so, nostalgia. The strong smell is what the Aztecs believed would guide their dear departed back to their homes for a visit during the Dia de los Mu***os (Day of the Dead) festival, so their ofrendas were heavily decorated with them.
Now I just have to get my hands on the seeds for some white ones to try...
