Brighten up any border or patio display with the long-lasting fully double blooms of Marigold ‘Majestic Doubles’ (Tagetes). Each bloom is packed with bright bicolour petals for a beautifully contrasting display which lasts all summer with the minimum of fuss. Attracting pollinators, this plant is great in a wildlife garden as well as a useful and attractive companion plant on the allotment. Sow marigold seed in spring on the surface of a good seed compost and gently firm down. Lightly cover the seed with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place the seed tray in a propagator at a temperature of 21-25C (70-77F) or seal it inside a polythene bag. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged and not exclude light as this aids germination which usually takes 7-21 days. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors. When growing marigolds, pinch out the growing tip of each stem