I've never used them, but am this year. I winter-sowed a TON of them to use as borders around several beds.
I've always felt that marigolds in general are a stalwort in the garden, and in my New Hampshire gardens, any variety is always an outstanding performer.
I'm looking forward to using them this year. Love red!

FWIW, I used Cosmos "Cosmic Red" last year- a 10" bushy cosmos; red. It kept going & going, but did require diligent deadheading so it wouldn't go to seed. Otherwise, it was a nice shorty red, as well.

But I like the low-maint of marigolds, and I do like the smell of them. (Dunno if SS has the typical marigold smell or not, though.)

DG has one person who put up several pix of the plant, and said that one of hers grew 3' wide. Cool.

I did come across two posts while searching GW, and one gal said it was more of a very dark orange (this is subjective, as I believe she was looking for more 'red-reds' for a red bed she has), and this pic also does confirm that it's more of an orangey-red.

My personal experience with "Scarlet" has also been toward the orangey side, as I planted some tall scarlet Zinnias last year right next to ones called "Big Red," and the scarlets, in comparison, were slightly toward the orange side of the color wheel. The Big Reds were definitely crayola red.
Anyway, here's a pic for you

Here is a link that might be useful: A picture from the Winter Sowing Gallery

In my garden they were an orangey brick color; not exactly what I was looking for so I was disappointed, but the plants grew well and looked good throughout the season.

I grew a Scarlet Starlet marigold a few years ago, but it was definitely a tagetes and not a calendula. I was pleased with it, although a bit more orangey than expected. I honestly can't remember the bloom time on it, though. I'm not familiar with the calendula one.

:)
Dee

I appreciate everyone's feedback, thank you! I picked up the Burpee pack and was surprised once I got home to see that the marigold was a calendula and not tagetes, so I thought. The nominclature is listed on the pack but not on the website. On the rack were more calendula species than tagetes, interestingly. I was hoping for a redder red than orange, so I'll see. Mostly, I wanted a definate bloom time into fall because, as most of us know, that end-of-the-summer deadspot just doesn't look good.

Here is a link that might be useful: Burpee Starlet Scarlet Marigold

Hmm, tuscanseed, I am very confused, lol! The photo you posted is just what I had, but mine were tagetes...

Oh well, either way, I think you will like these! Again, I can't remember the bloom time, but I don't remember thinking that they were short-lived, and I really did enjoy them. Hope you will too!

:)
Dee

Dee, I'm a bit confused myself,lol. The posted photo is the one I purchased from Burpee. Over the internet, I see people/sites referring to it as Tagetes patula. I had to look at my seed pack after reading your post. My seed pack says Burpee Marigold Scarlet Starlet Calendula Estrellita scarlet. Hmmmmm. Now I'm even more confused! Despite the confusion, the seedlings look strong and ready to grow outside, once it warms up. Thanks for the feedback.

I grew The Marigold Scarlet Starlet and it bloomed well into Fall. It was a blooming machine!! It was on the more orange side than true red but I loved it.
Joann