AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
pic by : Larry Burk / Shutterstock
Every garden needs a big , bold focal point that serves as an eye - trip up erect element , much like the role of a thriller plant in container displays . Mexican sunflower — a large , fast - grow yearbook that can grow to berm - elevation or taller — is ideal for that purpose .
A relative of thezinniaand the commonsunflower , this glossy member of the aster family resemble both , with brightly one-sided daisy - like flower accented by sunny yellow center . In addition to its striking beauty , Mexican sunflower is one of the best plants you may grow to attract butterfly and other pollinator to your garden and is a particular front-runner of the milkweed butterfly butterfly .
On this page : Basics|Growing|Care|Varieties
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Tithonia rotundifolia
mark : Not to be confuse withTithonia diversifolia , or Bolivian sunflower , an even turgid species that is moot to be trespassing in some areas .
Common names:
Mexican helianthus , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree marigold , tithonia , red helianthus
Native range:
aboriginal to Mexico and Central America
Exposure:
Full sunshine , 6 + hour per sidereal day
Height/spread:
3 to 6 metrical foot improbable , 2 to 3 feet wide
Bloom time:
Mid - summertime to frost
Flower colors:
Orange , red , or yellow
Special attributes:
GROWING MEXICAN SUNFLOWERS
Bee on ' Fiesta del Sol ' tithonia . photograph by : ISmiths / Shutterstock
When to plant:
In spring , after all danger of frost has give . As a general ruler of thumb , wait until nighttime temperature surface above 60 ° F before putting your plants in the dry land .
Where to plant:
Because of its tall stature , Mexican sunflower go best at the back of garden bed and borders to form a background for shorter plants . For the most fecund display of blooms , plant in a billet that get full Sunday ( at least 6 hours daily ) . The stems ofTithoniatend to be brickle , so get a positioning sheltered from strong wind , such as alongside a fence or garden wall .
Soil:
Tithonia industrial plant flourish in poor to average , well - debilitate soil , include rocky or flaxen soils . nullify plant in rich , fertile ground , which will result in excess foliation growth and weak stems .
How to plant:
Although Mexican sunflower can be begin from buy plants , they are most commonly propagate from come , either sowed instantly in the garden once the grime warm up in give or begin indoors 6 to 8 hebdomad before the last icing date . In colder clime ( zona 4 or below ) , starting seeds indoors will control blooms in time for summertime . Because visible light is command for germination , just scarce press the seminal fluid into the soil or potting mix . It will take the seeds 2 to 3 weeks to germinate when continue at a temperature of 70 ° to 80 ° F.
Spacing:
In the garden , outer space plants about 2 to 4 metrical foot apart , depending on their breadth at maturity date . earmark enough place between plants to ensure good air circulation , which will help preclude the development ofpowdery mould .
Growing in containers:
you’re able to find nanus varieties of Mexican helianthus ( such as ‘ Fiesta del Sol ’ ) nonpareil for growing in pots on a patio , deck of cards or balcony . Choose a container with holes for good drain and one large enough to accommodate the size of the plant at maturity . broadly speaking , a 5 - congius crapper will ply enough develop room for one plant life . If starting your sunflowers from source , plant only a few seeds in each pot and then tenuous to the strong seedlings later .
MEXICAN SUNFLOWER CARE
Watering:
piddle Mexican sunflower plant on a regular basis until they become demonstrate . After they take radical , the plants are drought tolerant and will call for supplementary watering only during ironical magical spell .
Fertilizing:
Tithonianeeds no fertilization to put on a continual showing of flush . In fact , applying fertiliser can even be detrimental and may inhibit anthesis .
Staking:
Mexican sunflowers that acquire over 3 infantry tall will often require staking to prevent the stems from break away due to hard wind instrument or heavy rain . Another option is to pinch works back to encourage bushier growth and tough stems that are more probable to remain upright without added support .
Deadheading and pruning:
Mexican sunflower should be deadheaded on a regular basis to promote more peak and prolong the unfolding period . Near the death of the get season , leave a few of the spent flowerheads in place so you’re able to collect and make unnecessary the ejaculate .
If your plant life become too tall and lanky , you could fleece them back by about one - third to get them under restraint and encourage a new flush of prime . The cut flowers remove during pruning are great for use in floral displays .
Pests and diseases:
Mexican sunflowers have no serious insect or disease problem , but be on the sentinel forslugs and snail , which may become a trouble after run periods of rain .
MEXICAN SUNFLOWER VARIETIES
Photo by : Ruki Media / Shutterstock
‘TORCH’
This old - fashioned cultivar , named an All - America Selections ( AAS ) winner in 1951 , continues to be one of the most popular , bear vibrant red - orange blooms measuring more than 3 inch across . Grows to a acme of 5 to 6 foot .
Photo by : All - America Selections
‘FIESTA DEL SOL’
Another AAS award success , this midget smorgasbord grows to a height of only 3 invertebrate foot and produces an copiousness of bright orange , daisy - corresponding flower . An excellent addition to acutting garden .
Photo by : Robert Lowery / Shutterstock
‘YELLOW TORCH’
Similar to ‘ Torch ’ but with brilliant stoolpigeon - yellow flowers . Can grow to over 6 foot tall , so be sure to ply a secure support at planting meter .
Photo by : Steve JM Hamilton / Shutterstock
‘GOLDFINGER’
Another midget variety ( 2 to 3 metrical unit tall ) , with fiery orangish - gold bloom . Well - suited for container and smaller gardens .
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