This article appeared in the September 2002 web issue of Horticulture Update,
edited by Dr. Douglas F. Welsh, and produced by Extension Horticulture,
Texas Cooperative Extension, The Texas A&M University System, College Station, Texas.

Mexican Marigold Mint, Copper Canyon Daisy
Tagetes lucida, Tagetes lemmonii

By Dr. William C. Welch, Landscape Horticulturist
Texas A&M University, College Station

wo closely related perennial marigolds are excellent choices for fall color in Texas. One is the Mexican Marigold Mint, Tagetes lucida and the other is the Copper Canyon Daisy Tagetes lemmonii. Their strong displays of bright gold bloom will blend well in the landscape with other fall flower colors of blues and purples from such plants as Frikarti or oblongifolius asters, Mexican bush sage Salvia leucantha or other tall growing background plants such as Maximilian daisies (Helianthus Maximiliani) or Swamp Sunflowers (Helianthus angustifolia).

Mexican Marigold Mint is native to Mexico and Guatemala where its foliage is used for teas, seasoning and medicinal purposes. Herb gardeners in Texas often substitute this plant for French tarragon, which cannot withstand summer heat in Texas.

Although it is a marigold, this plant is not susceptible to spider mites. After becoming established, very little needs to be done to keep Mexican Marigold Mint looking attractive, although growth may be pruned back before June in order to shorten the ultimate height. Both this and the Copper Canyon Daisy do best in well-drained, sunny locations. The leaves are slender and have notched edges, and the blooms are in clusters of golden-yellow single flowers, appearing from mid-fall till frost. There is a noticeable fragrance of anise associated with the plants.

The Copper Canyon Daisy creates mounds of finely cut foliage sprinkled with single blooms throughout mid-fall till frost. Plants are usually from 4 to 5 feet in height, although sometimes a more compact version may be found in nurseries that grows to 3 or 4 feet in height. When in full bloom the brilliant yellow-gold flowers will almost smother the plants. The odor of the foliage could be described as a combination of citrusy-woodsy scents, enjoyed by some people and disliked by others.

Propagate these two perennial marigolds either by division of existing clumps in the spring, or by taking cuttings, which root quickly to make more plants.

 

 

Click on pictures below to see larger images

 

Mexican Marigold Mint

Copper Canyon Daisy

Uses in the Landscape

 

 

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