Tagetes lemmonii

Family: Asteraceae

Common names: COPPER CANYON DAISY, MARIGOLD

Native to: South East Arizona

Plant

Type: perennial

Form: clumping

Leaves evergreen

Max height: 6.6 feet

Max width: 5 feet

Flower

yellow

Leaf

green

Horticulture

Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bird, specific butterfly species

Plant part consumed by birds: seeds

Plant features: evergreen

Exposure: sun

Landscape uses: container, cut flower, flower fragrant, foliage aromatic, hedge or edging

Propagates by: seed

flowers in spring

flowers in winter

flowers year round

Soil type: loam

USDA Zone: zone 9 to +20 f

Temp. range: +20 to +30 °F

Water: moderate, regular

Butterflies that feed on this plant

Amblyscirtes nysa

Atalopedes campestris

flower

leaf

margin

apical

profile

There are 53 Tagetes in this member of the Compositae (Aster) family, commonly called MARIGOLD. Of these, Tagetes erecta, lemmonii, patula, and tenuifolia are cultivated. Only Tagetes lemmonii is a perennial; the others are annuals.

In Zone 9 Tagetes lemmonii will flower nearly year round and can grow to 6½' tall by 5' wide. Birds come to the plant for seed while butterflies come to the plant for flower nectar. It prefers regular to moderate watering. The yellow flowers come out in spring and winter - nearly year-round. It can be grown in sun, in container, in Zone 9 and is native to south east Arizona. The green leaf is opposite, linear, compound with a toothed margin and pointed leaf tip. Give it moderate or regular watering. both the flower and foliage are aromatic.

In addition to the long list of butterflies that are attracted to flowers in the Compositae family, Tagetes specifically attracts five butterflies:
Amblyscirtes nysa, Nysa Roadside-Skipper
Atalopedes campestris, Sachem
Nathalis iole, Dainty Sulphur
Staphylus hayhurstii, Hayhurst's Scallopwing
Vanessa virginiensis, American Lady

Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial

This plant is one of 186 perennials suitable to grow in a container that will attract adult butterflies. 38 of these plants attract birds and 67 attract specific butterfly species. They can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall. 19 of these plants are drought tolerant, more than 80 are available for dry or moderate watering conditions. 29 are deciduous, while 71 are evergreen. Some can grow in Zone 2, while the others grow in Zones 3-11. 178 perennial plants that attract butterflies and can be grown in containers in Zone 9. 77 can be used as cut flowers. They come in any one of the available flower colors.

We have found that, when given a choice, butterflies and bees frequent named species more often than cultivars. You may want to keep this in mind when you select plants for your garden if your goal is to attract and support these insects.

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