Marigolds are unashamedly bold and bright, some would say brash even, but their sunny colours and bushy habits make these plants indispensable in the summer garden or vegetable plot. They attract vast numbers of insects including beneficial hoverflies and bees.

Known collectively as marigolds this common name refers to two distinct types: The traditional 'pot marigolds' (Calendula) have open flowers, often with single petals. They are perfect in the veg plot or in a cottage garden scheme and the bees love them.

The French and African Marigold plants (Tagetes) have more tightly packed petals and send off a very distinctive fragrance. Some gardeners use them as companion plants to deter aphids from targetting crops.