Description
Fireball French marigold (Tagetes patula) brings warm, changing color to sunny gardens. Its ruffled blooms show rich red and orange tones above finely cut green foliage. Plants are compact, typically around 10–12 inches tall with a tidy spread, making them useful for borders, mass plantings, and patio pots.
Growing Fireball Marigolds in Alabama
Plant after danger of frost has passed in a location with at least six hours of direct sun. Use well-drained soil and water at the base when the surface begins to dry. Marigolds handle Alabama sunshine well, but good air circulation and avoiding waterlogged roots help during humid periods. Remove faded blooms to encourage fresh flowers and trim leggy stems as needed. Feed lightly; too much nitrogen can produce leaves at the expense of flowers. Fireball is a warm-season annual and will not survive a hard freeze.
