A native of Mexico, Torch Tithonia grows at a slow burn until midsummer heat triggers an explosion of blooms that blaze into fall. The vibrant red-orange flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. A relative of zinnias and sunflowers, this striking plant resembles both. At heights of up to 6 feet, you will understand why it is commonly called "Mexican Sunflower," but once it blooms, you will see the close relation to zinnias.
Grow this tall, showy annual in back of borders or in a mass planting for the most fiery effect.
The Package Each year, Hudson Valley Seeds commissions contemporary artists from around the United States to tell the story of a particular seed variety. That art and those seeds combine to create an Art Pack, a unique celebration of the diverse stories of seeds and their stewards.
The Artist Mary O'Malley's intricate gouache paintings combine her fascination with nature and love of pattern to create an alternate "natural" world. Her Tithonia garden features symmetry, bold color, and shimmering gold ink metallic detail.
