AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
pic by : Larry Burk / Shutterstock
Every garden needs a bragging , bold focal point that suffice as an eye - catch vertical constituent , much like the part of a thriller plant in container display . Mexican sunflower — a large , tight - uprise annual that can grow to shoulder joint - height or taller — is idealistic for that purpose .
A relation of thezinniaand the commonsunflower , this flashy member of the aster family resembles both , with bright colorful daisy - alike flowers accented by sunny yellow centers . In addition to its strike beauty , Mexican sunflower is one of the best plants you could grow to attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden and is a particular deary of the monarch butterfly .
On this page : Basics|Growing|Care|Varieties
On this Thomas Nelson Page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Tithonia rotundifolia
Note : Not to be confused withTithonia diversifolia , or Bolivian sunflower , an even big specie that is considered to be invading in some areas .
Common names:
Mexican helianthus , tree diagram marigold , tithonia , blood-red sunflower
Native range:
Native to Mexico and Central America
Exposure:
Full sun , 6 + hour per mean solar day
Height/spread:
3 to 6 metrical foot tall , 2 to 3 foot all-encompassing
Bloom time:
Mid - summertime to ice
Flower colors:
Orange , red , or icteric
Special attributes:
GROWING MEXICAN SUNFLOWERS
Bee on ' Fiesta del Sol ' Mexican sunflower . Photo by : ISmiths / Shutterstock
When to plant:
In natural spring , after all peril of frost has passed . As a general rule of thumb , wait until nighttime temperatures rise above 60 ° F before putting your plants in the footing .
Where to plant:
Because of its tall height , Mexican sunflower works better at the back of garden bed and borders to make a backcloth for shorter plants . For the most fertile display of blooms , plant life in a point that receive full sun ( at least 6 60 minutes day by day ) . The stalk ofTithoniatend to be brickle , so find a positioning shelter from strong winds , such as alongside a fencing or garden paries .
Soil:
Tithonia plants flourish in poor to average , well - enfeeble soil , including rocky or sandy soils . ward off plant in rich , productive soil , which will result in excess foliage outgrowth and weak stems .
How to plant:
Although Mexican sunflowers can be started from purchased plants , they are most commonly propagate from seed , either sow instantly in the garden once the soil warms up in springiness or started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last hoarfrost escort . In colder climates ( zona 4 or below ) , startle germ indoors will secure blooms in time for summertime . Because light source is required for germination , just barely press the seeds into the soil or potting premix . It will take the seeds 2 to 3 week to develop when maintain at a temperature of 70 ° to 80 ° F.
Spacing:
In the garden , space plants about 2 to 4 feet apart , depending on their breadth at maturity . appropriate enough space between plants to ensure serious breeze circulation , which will serve preclude the growth ofpowdery mould .
Growing in containers:
you could chance dwarf varieties of Mexican helianthus ( such as ‘ Fiesta del Sol ’ ) ideal for grow in pot on a patio , deck or balcony . take a container with mess for good drain and one gravid enough to oblige the size of it of the plant life at maturity . broadly , a 5 - gallon pot will provide enough growing room for one industrial plant . If starting your sunflowers from seed , plant only a few seeds in each pot and then thin to the strong seedlings later .
MEXICAN SUNFLOWER CARE
Watering:
Water Mexican sunflower plants regularly until they become established . After they take root , the plant are drought kind and will require supplemental lachrymation only during dry charm .
Fertilizing:
Tithonianeeds no fertilization to put on a continual display of blooms . In fact , applying plant food can even be prejudicial and may inhibit flowering .
Staking:
Mexican sunflowers that grow over 3 feet magniloquent will often require staking to prevent the stems from breaking due to inviolable winds or impenetrable rainfall . Another selection is to twinge plant back to further bushier growth and uncompromising stem that are more likely to remain erect without add together support .
Deadheading and pruning:
Mexican sunflower should be deadheaded on a regular basis to advertize more blooms and draw out the flowering period . Near the end of the produce time of year , go out a few of the spent flowerheads in seat so you could call for and save the seeds .
If your flora become too magniloquent and gangling , you’re able to shear them back by about one - third to get them under control and encourage a novel efflorescence of blooms . The slashed flower removed during pruning are great for enjoyment in floral displays .
Pests and diseases:
Mexican sunflowers have no serious insect or disease problems , but be on the outlook forslugs and snails , which may become a problem after extended periods of rain .
MEXICAN SUNFLOWER VARIETIES
picture by : Ruki Media / Shutterstock
‘TORCH’
This old - fashioned cultivar , refer an All - America Selections ( AAS ) succeeder in 1951 , continue to be one of the most popular , bear vivacious red - orange bloom of youth measure out more than 3 inch across . turn to a height of 5 to 6 feet .
Photo by : All - America Selections
‘FIESTA DEL SOL’
Another AAS awarding winner , this gnome variety grows to a height of only 3 feet and bring about an teemingness of bright orange , daisy - alike flowers . An excellent addition to acutting garden .
Photo by : Robert Lowery / Shutterstock
‘YELLOW TORCH’
standardized to ‘ great mullein ’ but with bright canary - yellow flowers . Can uprise to over 6 foot grandiloquent , so be certain to allow a potent funding at planting clip .
Photo by : Steve JM Hamilton / Shutterstock
‘GOLDFINGER’
Another dwarf smorgasbord ( 2 to 3 feet tall ) , with flaming orangish - gold blooms . Well - suit for containers and smaller garden .
RELATED READING
