A new favorite addition to the garden this year is the Mexican sunflower – tithonia diversifolia. The Mexican sunflower is a very fast growing perennial in zone 10b and useful in a variety of ways. Besides its obvious stunning show of flowers it also serves as a great cover/screen plant. In less than a year mine have grown over 10 feet in height and width, and may eventually reach a height of 20 to 30 feet. The Mexican Sunflower is the perfect choice if you wanted to hide, say, an ugly dilapidated shed. Hmm I wonder who has one of those?
I loved the way the sun was lighting up the petals as the flowers were swaying above my head in this picture.
Additional positive attributes of Tithonia Diversifolia include medicinal uses. It has a history of being used as an anti-inflammatory, a mosquito repellant and a treatment for malaria through out South America, Southern Asia and Africa. I should mention that one study did show in high doses or with frequent use it may cause liver damage. These same warnings are true for our favorite FDA approved NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Naproxen Sodium, Aspirin).
The Mexican sunflower is a bee and butterfly favorite in the garden. I took this picture while standing on the top of a ladder.
In colder climates the Mexican sunflower will die back in the winter, but quickly return the following year. It has no special nutrient requirements, but the plant itself is nutrient rich and considered a dynamic accumulator. When it becomes taller than you desire, cut it back and use the stalks and leaves as your own nutrient rich fertilizer.
The sunlight on the sunflower’s petals is mesmerizing.
Propagation couldn’t be easier. Cut a stalk into approximately 10 inch sections and stick them into the soil. Before you know it you will be rewarded with these beautiful sweet smelling flowers. Did I mention their fragrance? That was an unexpected delight I discovered walking in the garden after the first blooms appeared.
Even the ‘deadheads’ are attractive.
For all the amazing attributes of this plant I have mentioned, now it’s time for the negative. While it hasn’t officially been placed on the invasive species list for Florida yet, it is currently being evaluated. I am usually more scrupulous with my research before adding a new plant to our garden and avoid the invasive or questionable, but this one got by me. Now that it is here I am in love. I will be diligent in keeping it contained and if it makes the list we will part with sweet sorrow. Until then I will enjoy it’s beautiful flowers and sweet fragrance and I will smile as the sun lights up its petals.
