Tagetes (Common Marigold)

This is an annual that I have in my garden. Very common, the Marigold is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. I actually plant these in areas around the house that are often missed by the rain and they continue to thrive.

Interestingly, the marigold florets are used as colorant in the European Union for foods such as pasta, vegetable oil, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, baked goods, confectionery, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, citrus juice and mustard. In the United States, they are only approved for colorant in poultry feed.