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
profile
flower
leaf
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 can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
