Grow a garden filled with Tiger Eye French Marigolds, from freshly harvested Tagetes patula seeds. Tiger Eye is a French variety of Marigold that will produce gorgeous, brightly colored blooms through the summer months. The flowers are ruffled, displaying several rows of red petals, accented by a bright yellow center. Tiger Eye will grow to a mature height of roughly 12 inches tall, and can spread roughly 4 to 6 inches wide. You might be surprised to know that Marigold flowers are not only attractive, but they will deter pesky insects as well. Bugs such as mosquitoes, fleas and ticks will stay away from these beauties. However, they will also attract an array of beneficial insects to the garden as well, such as butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees, hummingbirds and even lady bugs. Marigolds look great in flower beds, raised beds, along borders and even in large pots and containers as well. Marigold plants are grown as annual flowering plants. Annuals will grow quickly from freshly harvested seeds, bloom profusely through the summer months, and will later die with the first signs of frost. You can easily collect seeds from spent blooms at the end of the season, for resowing the following year. Seeds can also drop to the bare ground beneath, establishing fresh plants in the Spring. To extend your bloom time, try to prune and deadhead your Marigold flowers, so that fresh flowers can take their place. Look for old and withered flowers and simply pop the heads off, or snip with a pair of scissors. Quick Facts Type: Flower Color: Red / Yellow Height: Up to 12" Tall Width: 4" to 6" Spread Season: Annual Zones: All Environment: Full Sun Sowing The Seed Marigold seeds are best started indoors, in a controlled environment for the best success rate. Sow in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost, at a depth of 1/16" under topsoil. Do not bury the seeds as they will need a bit of direct sunlight to properly germinate. Transplant entire pots into the garden, or direct sow when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed. Growing Conditions Marigold plants thrive in an area of full sunlight, with temperatures of around 70F or higher. They prefer a dry climate and don't require much moisture. The soil can be average, but should be well drained as well. To increase drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to areas containing hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily with a spray bottle or mist setting until germination has occurred. Germination & Growth Marigold seeds will typically germinate within 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants will reach a mature height of roughly 12 inches tall and can spread roughly 6 inches wide. You can space your marigolds about 12 inches apart from one another. The production of new, fresh flowers can be achieved by dead heading or pruning.