Meet the most distinctive marigold we have ever grown. Fireball is a blaze of color over many months, its big double blooms opening a rich shade of red and then maturing to orange, bronze, and gold. It’s like getting a mix of colors in a single packet of seeds.

These flowers measure about 2 inches wide, packed with frilly petals and that characteristic marigold aroma. (Like it or not, it’s a great pest deterrent.) They are great for cutting, and they last a long time in the garden. For the best color show, try sowing some Fireball seeds every 2 weeks for a month or more. You’ll always have new red flowers among the orange, bronze, and gold.

This plant is quite compact, though the branching is good and the flowering profuse. Just 10- to 12-inches-high, it spreads no more than 8 inches wide, so you can show it off in containers as well as the sunny annual bed. It’s also a nice choice for edging the driveway and garden paths, because