Tagetes lemonii

A bushy evergreen shrub. A strong fragrance from the finely divided foliage is released when rubbed or brushed against. Orange-yellow flowers in fall-winter with off bloom in other seasons - flowering is triggered by short day length so overcast weather can extend flowering in spring. Plant in sun or part shade in a well-drained soil. Drought tolerant in coastal gardens but looks best with a little irrigation - too much water or too little light produces leggy plants that don't bloom well. Frost tender to a hard frost but recovers quickly. It can be cut back severely or even hedged but this may reduce or delay flowering. Comes from southern Arizona south into northern Mexico where it grows in canyons.