Marigolds

Bloom time: Summer to frost.

Marigolds deserve the medal for being the flowers with the lowest maintenance required. In fact, some experts claim that marigolds are nearly care-free. That's not quite true but if your garden color scheme runs to yellows and oranges, you can't go wrong with the trusty marigold.

Marigolds will thrive in the sun in moist, well-drained soil. Like many plants, they will appreciate being watered directly in the soil (rather than having the water rain down on them). Marigolds may appreciate some feeding during the season, but they really don't require it.

One word of warning: marigolds have a distinctive scent. Some people love it, others don't. Before you invest in marigolds for your garden, make sure you stick your nose right in the plants and take a good whiff. It's probably this scent that has made some people believe that marigolds will keep insect pests out of your garden. Some gardeners swear it's true. The scientific evidence is inconclusive. (Family: Sunflower, Asteraceae)