Marigold comes in a range of varieties, including the tall upright African marigold with big bold flowers (Tagetes erecta), the elegant, eye-catching and quite compact French marigold (Tagetes patula) and the dainty signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia), massed in rockeries or containers. All have edible flowers, and in many countries these are often used in garlands and decorations for festivals and religious events.