What does yellow Mexican sunflower attract?
In addition to its striking beauty, Mexican sunflower is one of the best plants you can grow to attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden and is a particular favorite of the monarch butterfly. Mexican Sunflowers are not a true sunflower but instead a relative of sunflowers and zinnias. The tall 40-60 zinnia like flowers will attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant them in a sunny spot in the meadow or back border of your garden and they will bloom that season.Pruning Mexican sunflowers isn’t necessary but can help to get lanky plants under control or to keep overgrown plants in bounds. Keep in mind that you may sacrifice some blooms when pruning. Cut off the top 1/3 of the plant when it’s experiencing a lull in blooming to both deadhead and tidy the plant.The Mexican sunflower boasts an impressive root system, typically reaching depths of 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) under optimal conditions. This deep anchoring not only stabilizes the plant but also allows it to access vital nutrients and moisture from the soil.The common sunflower typically has a large, single flower head with yellow petals surrounding a central disk. On the other hand, Mexican Sunflower plant produces smaller, daisy-like orange-red flowers in clusters. The plant itself is usually tall and bushy, reaching heights of 6 to 10 feet.
How long do Mexican sunflowers take to grow?
They grow from seed to bloom in about 60 days. Last season we planted several successions of Mexican sunflowers (even the seedlings we put in the ground in early-August grew to produce blooms) to keep the nectar flowing for migrating Monarch butterflies, and wow, did they come! The Mexican Sunflower is an attractive annual in the aster family that is native to Mexico and Central America. It is fast-growing reaching 3-6 feet with an ubiquitous amount of orangy-red ~ a rich dark orange ~ 3-inch blooms that attract bees and butterflies from mid-summer to fall.Mexican sunflowers are fast-growing and can mature to heights of 2 to 6 feet and widths of 2 to 3 feet. The stems can be brittle, so staking in high wind areas may be necessary.Single-Season Lifecycle. The Mexican sunflower is a fascinating annual plant with a lifecycle that unfolds in just one season. From germination to flowering and eventual death, this plant completes its journey in approximately 90-120 days.Mexican Sunflower prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but tolerates partial shade. This large plant resembles sunflower and zinnia plants some-what, but you will find that the leaves are quite interesting and have a slightly fuzzy texture.
Does Mexican sunflower spread?
Invasiveness: Mexican Sunflower spreads rapidly and can outcompete native vegetation. You can even grow Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia) for an exotic flair! Look for pots that: Have a large drainage hole.
Are Mexican sunflowers annual or perennial?
Tithonia rotundifolia, commonly called Mexican sunflower, is native to Mexico and Central America. It is a vigorous annual that typically grows in a single season to 4-6′ tall. Mexican Sunflowers are not a true sunflower but instead a relative of sunflowers and zinnias. The tall 40-60 zinnia like flowers will attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant them in a sunny spot in the meadow or back border of your garden and they will bloom that season.They grow from seed to bloom in about 60 days. Last season we planted several successions of Mexican sunflowers (even the seedlings we put in the ground in early-August grew to produce blooms) to keep the nectar flowing for migrating Monarch butterflies, and wow, did they come!