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. Fabulous looking when combined with the blues of Mealy-Cup sage (Salvia farinacea) or the purples of Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis), it is spectacular at the back of borders where it will steal the show!

• Fairly pest-free and low maintenance, add this charming and graceful plant to the landscape, and you will be rewarded with an army of butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators and beneficial insects.
• Vigorously growing up to 4-6 ft. high (120-180 cm) and spreading up to 2-3ft. (60-90 cm), this bushy plant features large leaves, heart-shaped to lobed, and covered with soft hair that deer ignore. Mexican Flower is an ideal addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, gravel gardens, and cutting gardens, as it makes excellent fresh-cut flowers.
• Performs best in full sun, in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Dry and poor soils are tolerated, but rich, fertile soils should be avoided as the plant may develop excess foliage. Do not over-fertilize as it will promote foliage more than flowers and may also cause the plants to topple. This plant is heat, and drought tolerant.
• May be grown from seeds or live plants. Sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed or indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last spring frost date.
• Pinching off dead blossoms will promote continuous blooming. Staking may be required.
• The most popular Mexican Sunflower varieties are:
  Tithonia ‘Fiesta del Sol’ – dwarf cultivar reaching 2-3 ft. height (60-90 cm) with single, orange daisy flowers, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm). Heat and humidity resistant. 2000 All America Selections Winner
  Tithonia ‘Torch’ – cultivar reaching 3-4 ft. height (90-120 cm) with single, orange-scarlet daisy flowers,3-4 in. across (7-9 cm).