Fiery Flowers of October
Autumn is a great season for annuals and perennials as they are wonderful for fall arrangements and displays. In fact, some of the most popular flowers like marigolds and colorful chrysanthemums (called the “queen of the fall flowers”) bloom around September and October adding beautiful rich color to your garden.
Marigolds come in vibrant colors such as yellow, red, and orange. They are a great fall-blooming plant. These popular flowers usually grow until the first frost of the fall. There are around 50 known species of marigolds. Some of the different types can be single or double with a pom-pom like appearance.
The marigold is actually the birth flower for October. It has a rich cultural history in Mexico, where marigolds have been cultivated for over 2,000 years! Beyond their aesthetic appeal, marigolds have deep symbolic meaning. They are often associated with life and death, making them a perfect choice for the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration that begins on November 1, All Saints Day, which is the day after Halloween. It is said that marigolds are linked to the light inside of a person as they represent power and strength.
Marigolds can also represent broken or transformational love. A great short story about transformation is the short story, “Marigolds” by Eugenia Collier wherein the marigolds are linked to a transitional moment in Lizabeth’s life – a moment of coming of age.
Marigolds love sunshine, but don’t forget to dead-head the flowers when they are spent in order to encourage additional blooming. Also, something interesting… marigold flower petals are edible! It’s fun to use colorful marigold petals as a garnish with your favorite recipe.
Marigolds have a certain fragrance and foliage that repel certain pests and attract beneficial insects. Hybrid marigolds, such as the Zenith series, do great in the warm, humid South. Discovery and Antigua large-flowered varieties are both good choices for your landscape as well as the slightly smaller types: Inca and Marvel. Bonanza and Safari varieties are also smaller varieties and wonderful for your garden. They work well with other fall bloomers like Indigo Spires Salvia and Mexican Bush Sage.
The pot marigold, or calendula, is a great fall and winter plant that is underused. These plants produce huge, flat, orange or yellow flowers, thrive in cooler weather and will bloom for months if the winters are mild. Calendula has the nickname “the winter marigold” because it looks similar to a marigold, but it can grow in much colder weather.
Enjoy these beautiful additions to your fall and winter garden by sipping your morning cup of hot chocolate or coffee and getting ready for your day!
Happy Gardening!
Gaye Winter, Ph.D., teaches English at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and is a member of Biloxi Garden Club. Reach her at gaye.winter@mgccc.edu.
