Description

The desert marigold is native to the desert portions of California into the southwest. It thrives in sunny spots with well-draining soils. With the first rains of winter, desert marigold comes to life, quickly producing a profusion of effervescent yellow flowers. These are the sort of desert flowers people drive to see – radiant! Given conditions similar to its native habitat, desert marigold will flower in later winter for several weeks or longer if the spent flowers are removed to prevent seed production. Try desert marigold with California poppies or the deep blue flowers of desert bluebells, Phacelia campanularia. In San Jose this plant has bloomed well in a pot and produces viable seed. Desert marigold is a short-lived perennial or annual.