Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch'
Mexican sunflower
An erect, branching annual with rounded, lobed leaves and bright orange to scarlet flowerheads, that burn brightly from midsummer until...
approx 100 seeds
£2.79
available to order from summer
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Plant description
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.
Eventual height & spread
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Fast-growing
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness
Frost tender
How to care for Tithonia rotundifolia Torch:
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.
Sowing instructions:
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.
