When I received this plant, from a friend in June, it was in a 6 inch pot. I had never heard of this Mexican Sunflower Tree before. I was told it would make large Sunflower looking flowers with a Vanilla - Honey scent in the fall through winter. I was very excited - this is how my experience has unflolded with this new to me plant.
On August 12, 2008 this is how my Mexican Sunflower looked.
On August 13, 2008 it was attacked by bad weather.
One of my girls and myself broke all of the small limbs off the one big limb and stuck them in the ground.
On August 17, 2008 I was beginning to have doubts that it would make it.
On Oct. 6, 2008 it was looking a lot better.
Today, Oct. 9, 2008 I found some buds. I'm very curious to see if the bloom looks like the first photo on this post that I grabbed from the internet.
and some lizards.
Doesn't it look much better in just two months?
Click on this last photo, he was giving me the eye for sure!
Common Name: Mexican SunflowerBotanical Name: Tithonia diversifolia
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Type: Large, Perennial, Rangy Shrub
Origin: Mexico and Central America
Zones: 8 - 11
Height and Width: To 12' or More
Rate of Growth: Fast
Salt Tolerance: Medium
Soil: Average, Well Drained
Form: Shrub
Leaves: Palm Shaped medium green to 6" wide
Flowers: Yellow, Daisy like, smell of honey, loved by bees and butterflies
Fruits: Gray, Flattened, Dry, One-Seeded Fruit Hidden by Papery, Brown Tipped
Bracts
Pests or Diseases: Young foliage attacked by snails and slugs (I haven't seen this yet)
Uses: Screening
Bad Habits: Foliage damaged by frost, recovers quickly
Please let me know if you have any info or have heard of this plant before. I can barely wait until I can post it in full bloom.
16 comments:
That's very pretty- and it's new to me!
Junie
I've never grown it but I've seen them around a lot. They get quite large and some people say they are invasive. They have very pretty flowers!
Wow, that plant has some strength! It would've been dead after a week in my care. I can't wait to see it blossom - those flowers are so pretty. Plus, sunflowers are my fave :)
You get a no, from me. I've never seen or heard from it.
I've not heard of that particular variety but there is also a Tithonia that blooms orange. It's common name is Mexican sunflower too. It's an annual that grows pretty tall as well.
I'm not familiar with this Tithonia. The Mexican Sunflower I've seen is Tithonia rotundifolia which has a yellow, orange or scarlet flower. Curious to see what the blooms look like when the buds open.
a great set of photos, I have never seen that plant before.........
Gill in Canada
Hi Darla,
I have a friend who grows these but I don't have any first hand info. on them, except they are pretty. Yours made a speedy recovery!
Darla: It looks like your flower has turned the bend. I expect nothing bu good things. Did you see the fly behind the lizard. Maybe he was trying to figure out how to get it with you interfering.
Thanks for the comments, I will continue to post as the bud begins to open. Fishingguy--I saw three flies after you mentioned the one. I probably was messing with his lunch. LOL.
beautiful series of photos with interesting story...
Looks like a flower I took a picture of Thursday morning, at the ever visited Spring City Nature Park. Have to go once a week. Not to be confused with the Veterans Park in Spring City. I might even post it for us to compare.
I posted it for Friday morning before 7AM. But I also changed my sky watch to show up after it, so you might have to look back beyond the sky watch post to see it. May not be the same but it is similiar. Also, linked back to your blog, didn't think you would mind.
How wonderful you were able to save it!
Lovely plant in flower and the plant itself has a pleasing leaf and form. I don't know it but it sure looks like a member of the sunflower family! I can't wait for your photos and a report on the honey fragrance.
Gail
How cool that you got it to grow back! I can imagine how great you must feel about that. And you've got little visitors enjoying it too.
:-)
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