A Great Summer Planting with Mexican Sunflower, Zinnia and Grasses

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders, Fall Borders

Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Perennial Planting, Perennial combination, Summer Border, Pennisetum villosum, Tithonia rotundifolia, Zinnia elegans, Foeniculum vulgare, Cleome spinosa

Annual blooms infuse summer gardens with vibrant hues and dynamic energy. Take this exemplary border concept, for instance, which melds intriguing floral varieties for an arresting display. It features the fiery Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican Sunflower), the ethereal Cleome hassleriana ‘Violet Queen’ (Spider Flower), and the resplendent ‘Benary’s Giant’ Zinnias, all of which add height and vigor to the ensemble.

These floral stars are complemented by the delicate Pennisetum villosum (Feathertop Grass) with its whimsical plumes, and the textured, fragrant leaves of Foeniculum vulgare ‘Rubrum’ (Bronze Fennel). Together, they infuse the arrangement with a sense of fluidity and lightness.

Such a captivating blend is not just visually rewarding but is also simple to recreate in any sun-blessed garden. Expect this vibrant ensemble to enchant onlookers from early summer right up until the first frost.

Moreover, these plants are both drought-resistant and low-maintenance, ensuring a hassle-free, delightful gardening experience. Dive in and relish the beauty!

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Garden Information

Hardiness	4 - 9
Heat Zones	6 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Low, Average
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Drought
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

Plants In This Garden

Pennisetum villosum (Feathertop Grass)

Extremely drought tolerant, Feathertop Grass (Pennisetum villosum) is among the most beautiful and graceful ornamental grasses with its large, fluffy, bright white flower plumes cascading down the light green foliage that rustles in the wind. While a perennial grass, it is tender and often grown as an annual. Self-seeder, it will multiply if you do not cut off the flowers before the seeds ripen in the fall

Hardiness	8 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican Sunflower)

Thriving in the summer heat, Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) is a warm weather annual featuring showy daisy flowers, up to 3 in. across (7 cm), in shades of brilliant orange and yellow from midsummer until fall. Very attractive and eye-catching, with abundant and joyful blossoms for weeks, this vigorous annual plant creates a striking visual impact in the garden.

Hardiness	2 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Cleome hassleriana 'Violet Queen' (Spider Flower)

Adding vertical interest and delicate airiness to the perennial border, Cleome hassleriana ‘Violet Queen’ is a fast-growing annual plant with dramatic huge, loose balls, 5-6 in. across (12-15 cm) of sweetly fragrant, rich violet flowers with fascinating long stamens that protrude out

Hardiness	2 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Zinnia 'Benary's Giant Bright Pink'

Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant Bright Pink’ features rounded, fully double flowers packed with clear pink petals and opening up to 6 in. across (15 cm).

Hardiness	2 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Zinnia 'Benary's Giant Lilac'

Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant Lilac’ features rounded, fully double flowers packed with lilac petals and opening up to 6 in. across (15 cm). As the flower matures, a circle of small golden stars surrounds its center disk.

Hardiness	2 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Foeniculum vulgare 'Rubrum' (Bronze Fennel)

Often mistaken for dill, Foeniculum vulgare ‘Rubrum’ is an upright, branching perennial herb with feathery, finely divided, aromatic, bronze leaves and large, flat umbels of tiny golden yellow flowers, borne on tall hollow stems.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

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Zinnia Pennisetum (Fountain Grass) Cleome (Spider Flower)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Cleome hassleriana ‘Rose Queen’ (Spider Flower)

Cleome hassleriana ‘Sparkler Blush’ (Spider Flower)

Credit: GAP Photos/Christa Brand - Weihenstephan Gardens

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.