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Scientific: Tagetes lemmonii
Common: Mount Lemon marigold, Mexican bush marigold, Copper Canyon marigold, tangerine-scented marigold
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Southwestern US into Mexico and central America

Pronounciation: Ta-GE-tes lem-MON-ee-i

Hardiness zones
Sunset
8-10, 12-24
USDA 8-11

Landscape Use: Accent shrub, sensory gardens, xeriscape, background, low screen. Also used to attract butterflies.

Form & Character: Vigorously upright and open, warm, informal.

Growth Habit: Evergreen, mostly herbaceous perennial, moderate to rapid, 5- to 8-feet tall with an equal spread.

Foliage/Texture: Dark green. pinnately-compound leaves with tinges of reddish bronze to 4-inches long, heavily aromatic having a strong scent of mint and lemon; medium fine texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Small, terminal, orange yellow daisy like flowers; fruits are inconspicuous.

Seasonal Color: In Phoenix, typically grows orange yellow blooms throughout late fall to spring.

Temperature: Not tolerant of desert heat (will not survive) if planted in bright western exposures (with reflected sunlight). It is also damaged by cold at around 20oF.

Light: Full sun

Soil: Tolerant of alkaline soil.

Watering: Water deeply once every week or two during the summer. Little water needed during winter. Withhold water to slow vigor.

Pruning: Prune back heavily during late spring (after flowering) and/or in fall (before cool season growth) to stimulate growth and flowering.

Propagation: Seed, cutting

Disease and Pests: None

Additional comments: This is a great high desert native xeriscape accent perennial shrub that struggles a bit in low desert locations becase of the intense summer heat. Mount Lemon marigold is named after John G. Lemmon (1832-1908) who first collected this plant for cultivation in 1882 from the Huachuca Mountains in Cochise County in Arizona. Mount Lemon marigold is often confused with Tagetes lucida (Mexican tarragon).