Marigolds, in the genus Tagetes, are usually thought of as summer annuals. Lemmon’s marigold, Tagetes lemmonii, is a perennial species that blooms in the fall. It deserves a place in any mixed perennial border in South Carolina because of its late blooming time.
Lemmon’s marigold is a late-blooming, sprawling perennial that needs a bit of space in a mixed border or bed.
Anthony Keinath, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Lemmon’s marigold is named after the botanist couple Sarah and John Lemmon, who discovered this plant in the mountains of southern Arizona in 1882. It is also called the Copper Canyon daisy because the flower resembles a daisy with eight single petals.
Lemmon’s marigold has finely divided leaves, long flexible stems up to 4 feet long, and golden yellow flowers. The flowers start to open around November 6 in Charleston, with a range between October 26 and December 11. Flowering seems to be triggered by short days and nighttime temperatures below 50 degrees.
In addition to the showy flowers, the most notable characteristic of Lemmon’s marigold is the unique pungent scent, which The Southern Living Garden Book (2004 edition) describes as “a blend of marigold, mint, and lemon.” The scent is released whenever the leaves are lightly touched.
Lemmon’s marigold, being native to southern Arizona and northern Mexico, prefers well-drained soil but tolerates soil with average moisture levels. It prefers full sun but also blooms well in partly sunny spots. This perennial is suitable for USDA Growing Zones 8 and 9. Stems that die back over winter should be cut above the point where new growth emerges in the spring.
For more information on growing other drought-tolerant perennials, see HGIC 1717, Plants that Tolerate Drought.
