One of my new favorites, good for the pollinators, colorful annual is just getting ready to start to put on its colorful show which will last until the end of the season. And you can’t miss its 3-inch-wide bright orange flowers! Its Tithonia, or commonly known as Mexican Sunflower (also Mexican Marigold, and Goldflower of the Incas). A native of Mexico and Central America, this annual loves it sunny hot and dry! And it’s one heck of a great source of nectar and habitat for beneficial insects including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Grows 2-6 feet high depending on which selection you grow, bushy, and deer usually leave it alone. Deadhead for more flowers but otherwise low maintenance. Beds, borders, containers, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, cutting gardens. This one puts on one heck of a show all season long! (Not a Helianthus)
Our second pick, being it is June, and this is Perennial Garden Month, and that I’m all about everyone planting sunflowers, would be perennial sunflowers. The genus is Helianthus – Helios meaning sun and Anthos meaning flower – flower of the sun. Helianthus annuus would be the annual type, and then there are several that are perennials! Our 2 for today: Maximilian Sunflowers, tall (3-10 feet), prolific bloomers (also known as prairie sunflowers) and pollinator magnets. They are very aggressive so probably won’t work in a smaller perennial garden over time. But what an impressive show, especially for the pollinators! The other is naturalized around central US and seen a lot in non-maintained areas and gardens as well. It’s Helianthus tuberosus, or commonly known as Jerusalem Artichoke. Bold plants, dark green leaves, 3-inch yellow flowers (enjoyed by the pollinators) and yes, produce the very edible Jerusalem Artichoke! Again, can be very aggressive and take over the garden.
So, whether perennial or annual, get out and plant sunflowers! Right now!!!