This easygoing - to - rise annual will bring pollinator to your garden with its round-the-clock flowers .
If you are look for a tight - growing plant life that will attract beneficial insects to your garden , choose a Mexican sunflower(Tithonia rotundifolia ) . With the ability to rocket upward of 6 feet improbable in a single growing time of year , this annual plantis easy to produce and add cheerful people of color to the garden .
While not a true sunflower , this aboriginal of Mexico , with its bleary , coarse - textured foliage in smart super C , is a excellent alternative as a makeweight plant to take up garden infinite and serve as a backdrop for other perennials . The bloom are most often found in affectionate shade of promising orangeness and chickenhearted . The blossoms of Mexican sunflower resemble a large daisy with long , narrow outer petals arranged around a yellow center .
Peter Krumhardt.
Where to Plant Mexican Sunflower
Plant a few Mexican sunflowers near yourvegetable gardento entice pollinators and beneficial bugs , which can avail control potential outbreak of pestis . These plant call for a location that receives full sun and has well - drain ground . set them at the back of a molding or anywhere in the garden you demand a tall , fast - grow plant .
How and When to Plant Mexican Sunflower
One of the loose direction to grow Mexican helianthus is to seed seeds after thelast frost in spring . Sow them directly on top of average garden soil because these seeds postulate sunlight to shoot . In as little as seven to 10 days , you should see star sign of sprouting . At this point , it ’s best to thin the seedling to 1 to 2 feet asunder , so the mature plants will have enough space to expand . If you need to get a caput initiate on grow Mexican sunflowers , start them indoors six to eight weeksbefore the last frost in spring . When the weather warms , they can be channelize out to the garden .
Mexican Sunflower Care Tips
Light
For the most impressive display of prime , works Mexican sunflowers in full sun . This also helps keep the plant life compact and prevents fall through . In fond sun , program on staking the plant to keep them upright .
Soil and Water
Ideally , Mexican sunflower should beplanted in well - drained soilwith wet levels vagabond from median to dry , but Mexican helianthus tolerates wretched filth . These plant do not put up soaked soil or grease rich with organic matter , as they make the flora flop .
Temperature and Humidity
Mexican helianthus grows as an yearbook in USDA zones 2 - 11 and ca n’t be overwintered . It can survive temperatures as low as 30 ° F for a brief period but will incur some wrong . Mexican sunflowers like dry weather and do n’t do well in areas with eminent humidity .
Fertilizer
After they are establish , Mexican sunflowers do n’t require fertilization . add a belittled amount of organic matter to the planting situation at the starting line of the time of year is sufficient , but do n’t overdo it ; these plants do n’t wish rich land .
Pruning
When growing Mexican sunflower plants , plan ondeadheading the flowersto advance belated - summer blooms . In tropical climate , deadheading helps prevent potentially vigorous reseeding .
Potting and Repotting Mexican Sunflower
Planting Mexicansunflowers in containersisn’t recommended because they maturate so enceinte so quickly . If you require to try it , buy a gnome cultivar , such as ' Fiesta Del Sol ' , and plant only one or two seed in an 18 - inch or larger terra - cotta container with good drainage . These are annual flora , so repotting is n’t needed . Just replant seed each year .
Pests and Problems
Mexican sunflower is deer - insubordinate and is relatively unaffected by pests . You might see gardenslugsif your garden receives a good deal of rain . If the sunflower are crowded and the humidity is gamy , watch forpowdery mold .
How to Propagate Mexican Sunflower
Mexican sunflowers grow easily from seed , and harvest seed from an exist plant is simple . Deadhead a fagged bloom , pop it into a paper bagful , and arrange it in a warm indoor country to dry out . The petals will light off , leave only the seed head . plunk up the seed head and rub it between your fingers over a denture or report towel to cause the seed to hang out . Store them in a dry area until the atmospheric condition warms in bounce ; then , toss them across a garden seam without deal them and water the bed .
Types of Mexican Sunflower
‘Goldfinger’ Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia rotundifolia’Goldfinger ' has orangish blossoms with hopeful yellow centers and grows to 3 foot grandiloquent . Each bloom is about 3 inches across . It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds .
‘Torch’ Mexican Sunflower
At 6 foot tall , Tithonia rotundifolia’Torch ' belongs at the back of the garden bed . Its ruby - Orange River petal surrounding orange centers are a well - known attracter for migrate monarch butterfly stroke .
‘Yellow Torch’ Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia rotundifolia’Yellow Torch ' is the first yellow - flowering Mexican sunflower and a welcome addition to cutting gardens . It abide 6 fundament tall and attracts hummingbirds , bee , and butterfly .
‘Fiesta Del Sol’ Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia rotundifolia’Fiesta Del Sol ' was the first dwarf Mexican sunflower . It handle humidness better than many other cultivars and grows to only 2 - 3 foot . Its single orangish daisy are 3 inch across and are excellent cut blossom . Plus , the flora is basically pest complimentary .
Mexican Sunflower Companion Plants
Canna
Cannasbring tropical splendorto garden in all regions . These bluff industrial plant feature clump , sword lily - alike heyday in a brilliant color array on tall stems . late blossom breeding has create canna foliage that is even showier than the petals , with variegate leafage combinations of orangish , yellow , and super acid that radiate in the summer sun . Dwarf cannas are also uncommitted for container horticulture and other small spaces . canna are usuallygrown from tuberous rootage , but some newer varieties can also be promote from seed , with flowering guarantee for the first year . Cannas provide architectural interest group in summertime delimitation , and they also brandish along the damp perimeter of a pond . If you garden in a climate colder than Zone 9 ( 7 for the hardier types of canna ) , you ’ll call for to grasp canna plants up and lay in them as bare radical plant for the next season or overwinter potted specimens indoors . A destructive mottling computer virus has threatened canna stock in nurseries across the United States , so be sure to buy your plants from a reputable germ .
Castor Bean
Planta castor beanand then brook back . This is one of the quickest - growing giant annual in the garden , rival only perhaps by giant sunflower . By midsummer , you ’ll have a huge ( it can dispatch up to 20 metrical foot ) tropic flora sporting Burgundy wine foliage . Be careful , though . The seeds are extremely toxic . expect to implant it outdoors after all risk of frost has give-up the ghost ; castor bean hates coolheaded weather and wo n’t grow well until temperatures ignite up in summer .
Nasturtium
nasturtium are so versatile . Theygrow easily from seedsown immediately in your garden ’s poorest soil , bloom all season until frost , and are never covetous about food or plant food . Nasturtiums are available in either propagate or go up type . flora spreading case in large container to disgorge over the side . Plant them alongside wide way of life to break the sides for a romantic look . Use nasturtium to clear a rock garden or between pave stone . Plant them at the edges of beds and border to fill in between other plant life and supply soft , flow color . wagon train climb types up trellises or alongside fences . The leafage and blossom are eatable ; use them as a flashy home plate garnish or to jazz up salads .
Garden Plan for Mexican Sunflower
Small Space, Drought-Resistant Garden Plan
This bare garden plan includestough plants that can withstand dry conditionswhile still looking succulent and colorful . Surround your birdbath with day lily , penstemon , and smart Mexican sunflower to create a dramatic presentation of heyday and foliage .
Frequently Asked Questions
Familiaryellow sunflowers(Helianthus annuus ) are usually tall — up to 12 feet — and many of them have edible seeds . The seeded player of Mexican sunflowers , though edible , are n’t as tasty as those of rough-cut sunflowers ; they are somewhat sulphurous . However , both of these yearly plants delight the same growing condition .
Mexican sunflower begin blooming in midsummer and bloom continuously until the industrial plant is kill by the first freeze .
Ricinus communis . North Carolina State University Extension Gardner Toolbox .
Credit: Robert Cardillo
Credit: Eric Roth
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
