Found this plant in my backyard (Holly Hill S C ). Online 8 or 9 times searching, no luck. This was last summer. Did not return this summer.
Hi David,
this is a marigold, most likely Tagetes patula nana “Legion of Honour” an old-fashioned variety. Not native, of course, but often grown in gardens.
Sincerely,
Steve Hill, Ph.D. Botanist, SCNPS