Mexican Sunflower
The Mexican Sunflower Has Brilliant Colors
The Mexican sunflower is a variation that has a different look than that of traditional sunflowers. It is a smaller plant, growing to 4-6 feet high. The flowers are often described as having the brilliant color of a daisy or a zinnia and the look of a dahlia. The leaves are rougher and larger, in the four to ten-inch range, while the flower head itself is approximately three inches across.
The Mexican sunflower is an annual that you will need to plant each year. It also self-propagates well so letting some seeds fall to the soil will likely result in new plants the next season. There are ten species of the Mexican Sunflower and they are all native to Mexico and Central America. The plant grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9--It likes heat and will not withstand frost, but can be started inside in locations in USDA zone 4.
The Mexican sunflower must be planted in a area where it gets full sunlight. It is tremendously resistant to heat and drought conditions. Plant in soil with good drainage when temperatures have warmed enough to prevent frost. The Mexican sunflower does not require anything special in terms of fertilizer and even grows well in below average soil. For good plant health, you can provide a light feeding of fertilizer every six weeks or so.
If you want to attract butterflies to your garden, the Mexican sunflower is a good choice. Swallowtails especially seem drawn to the plant. It is even possible to attract a hummingbird with these flowers. Because the sunflowers get heavy when producing seeds, it is necessary to stake them. The best time is when you plant the seedlings or if you start from seeds, when the plant is six to twelve inches high. The Mexican sunflower looks nice when grown against a fence as well. Make sure to grow it in the back of your garden or along a border so that it does not provide too much shade for your other plants.
Once the Mexican sunflower plant is in bloom, cutting off the dead flowers will enable it to continue growing new flowers right into the fall. Some people in warm climates do two plantings in one season--the first in the early spring to produce sunflowers in June, and the second in June to produce another crop of sunflowers in the fall.
“Torch” is one hybrid of Mexican sunflowers that has won an All-American Award. It grows brilliant orange-red flowers that will make anyone take notice. A yellow version of “Torch” is also available. If you like a completely orange flower, you should choose the Fiesta del Sol. Whichever one you choose you are sure to be delighted with the results.