Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch'
Mexican sunflower
- approx 100 seeds
- £2.79
- In stock (delivery within 3-4 working days)
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.99
- Position: full sun
- Soil: well-drained, moderately fertile soil
- Rate of growth: average to fast
- Flowering: July to October
- Hardiness: half-hardy annual
An erect, branching annual with rounded, lobed leaves and bright orange to scarlet flowerheads, that burn brightly from midsummer until the nights begin to draw in. ‘Torch’ is a great hot border companion for dahlias, achilleas helenium, and is a ‘cut-and-come-again’ variety that benefits from staking.
Tithonia thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and benefits from regular watering, especially during dry spells, though established plants tolerate short dry periods. Feed lightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser every few weeks to encourage continual flowering, and deadhead spent blooms to prolong the display.
For early season colour sow under glass onto moist well-drained seed compost and cover lightly. Seedlings, which appear shortly, can be potted up and left to grow for several more weeks, hardening off before planting out with a 50cm spacing once frosts are passed.
Alternatively, sow directly outside once frosts are passed in a well-prepared bed with plenty of incorporated organic matter. Germination can take 7-21 days. Thin to 50cm spacing and stake if the garden is particularly open or exposed. Deadhead to encourage branching and longer displays.
Alternatively, sow directly outside once frosts are passed in a well-prepared bed with plenty of incorporated organic matter. Germination can take 7-21 days. Thin to 50cm spacing and stake if the garden is particularly open or exposed. Deadhead to encourage branching and longer displays.
