Mexican sunflower

Value to bees

Nectar

Very high

Pollen

High

As a honey crop

Not a honey source

Which bees, and why

An open composite head with a generous nectar reward, worked heavily by large bees and butterflies. In North America it is one of the standard plants for supporting monarchs on autumn migration.

An open composite head with shallow accessible florets and a substantial nectar reward.

Worth knowing

An outstanding late-season nectar source, and among the best autumn annuals for large bees and butterflies.

Flowering

In flower

August to October (northern hemisphere)

A late summer to autumn season, continuing until the first frost.

Growing it

Conditions

Full sun on poor free-draining soil with warmth. Rich ground makes it enormous and floppy.

Size

1.2-1.8 m tall.

Native range

Mexico and Central America, on dry disturbed ground.

Suits

Large gardens, Small gardens, Meadow or wildflower area

• Sow late, when the soil is warm; it resents cold wet conditions.
• Poor soil gives sturdier plants; rich ground produces two metres of leaf and stem that blows over.
• Needs a long warm summer to flower well, so it is marginal in cool northern gardens.

What it looks like

A tall vigorous annual with rough velvety leaves and brilliant vermilion-orange daisy flowers with a golden centre, held on slightly swollen hollow stalks.