Mexican Sunflower
Things to Know About the Mexican Sunflower
The Mexican Sunflower plant can add a lot of interest to bland garden areas. Because they grow fairly tall, they make an excellent flower for the back border of a flower garden. This flower is a very attractive choice for gardeners. It is a magnet for butterflies and birds. Another advantage that this flower has is that it is largely resistant to deer. It does however, catch the attention of bees. Some gardeners like this if they also have perennials planted. The bees will provide a pollination service for those plants. But if you have young children or have allergies to bees, then this may be a negative aspect of the plant.
The Mexican Sunflower is an annual plant, which means that you will need to replant it every year. The advantage of annual flowers is that if you want a different look to your garden in the future, you don’t need to dig up established roots. You can easily change colors or heights each year. But it also means that you need to replant the flower each year.
The Mexican Sunflower should be planted in an area that receives full sun. The sunflower really does crave the sunshine and the flower will point in the direction of the sun. The back border of a garden along a wall or along a fence are excellent choices for this flower since it does grow to a height of two to five feet high. The full height of the flower is largely determined by the quality of the soil and the depth that the roots are able to reach.
The site ultimately chosen for this flower also needs to have soil that drains well. The quality of the soil is not as important as it is for some more sensitive flowers. If your soil does needs to be fertilized, do so every eight to ten weeks and be sure to use a fertilizer that is a slow release type. If the soil is fertilized too much, this flower will start to produce more leaves and fewer flowers.
The water needs of this plant make it easier to care for than most. The soil needs to stay moist and watered regularly. However, too much water is a mistake that many first time growers of this flower make. The Mexican Sunflower will thrive if it is left a little on the dry side. Because this flower does grow taller than many flowers, you may need to use stakes to support the stalk as it extends upwards. This is even more important in windy areas.
These flowers are very good for cutting so you can bring the beauty of your garden to your indoor space. The seeds can also be used for planting next year’s flowers. In order to do this, you need to allow the seedheads to dry while they are still on the plant. After they have dried, then remove and collect the seeds. Clean them and store them in a cool, dry, dark place until it’s time to plant in the spring.
Most gardeners of the Mexican Sunflower start the flower indoors about six to eight weeks before the expected last frost date in your area. Plant the flowers about two feet apart so they will have ample room to grow. The foliage will fill in the area as the plant matures. The flowers will continue to bloom if you take care to trim the flowers soon after they fade. In the fall, be sure to pull out the plants and discard them after the first frost. This will tidy up your garden space and make it easier to prepare the area for planting in the spring.