Tuesday, March 8, 2011

A Mexican Sunflower day!

I took these pics of some of the sunflower blooms on one of the Tithonia fruticosa overhanging from my neighbors yard the other day. When these things get into a full bloom, they are sooo pretty! In between they are pretty trashy looking. They get very leggy and are covered with scraggly seed pods...but the blooms...just have to love them!!!

They bloom year-round here, and to encourage a full bush, you must cut them back to around 6 ft. several times a year (quarterly). They like to propogate themselves freely, so I am currently starting a Mexican Sunflower forest in my sideyard!!! They work exceedingly well as a screen to hide anything you do not want to see on the other side!!! Hooray!

Happy mid-week everyone! I will leave you with this quote I just read over at Bobbie Lynn's blog, WHY I LOVE TO GARDEN where she has the most beautiful handmade cards, gardens and cutest Corgi puppy ever!!! It goes like this: "The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us", by Ralph Emerson!
xoxo- Julie
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13 comments:

  1. meemsnycTuesday, March 08, 2011

    Love the bright blooms!

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  2. yoon seeWednesday, March 09, 2011

    The Mexican Sunflower is really stunning. I love its bright yellow petals.
    Wow! It's wonderful to see blooms all year round, except winter right....
    Then, you can sing "You are my sunshine, the only sunshine..."

    Take care and bye!

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  3. Serena LewisWednesday, March 09, 2011

    A beautiful and happy flower! I'm off to check out the link...thanks, Julie ~

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowWednesday, March 09, 2011

    Seeing your cheerful sunflowers reminds me that your garden is in a much warmer zone than mine. I can't wait to see such beauties in my own garden. It won't be as long as it has been.

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  5. Bobbie LynnWednesday, March 09, 2011

    Thanks Julie for your great comment. Your very sweet. All the best to you at your new job. Yes, we often forget the He is more greater then are worries.
    Blessings and thanks for the lovely photos of your Mexican Sunflower.

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  6. marianneWednesday, March 09, 2011

    Wow!!
    Wonderful!
    I once did a mandala with mexican sunflowers!
    I am a bit jealous.......you are having spring already!
    HAW♥

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  7. JaneWednesday, March 09, 2011

    Those flowers are so pretty,i love flowers too. Mine are just coming up,and I am ready! Blessings jane

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  8. MaryWednesday, March 09, 2011

    Oh such pretty flowers! I love the quote too--it is so encouraging!

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  9. donnaWednesday, March 09, 2011

    Julie, thanks for the great info on the 5-gallon pails. I'll see what I can come up with...can't wait to plant some veggies.

    I love the thought of you having a Mexican Sunflower forest.

    donna

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  10. TeriWednesday, March 09, 2011

    Oh oh, these are gorgeoussssssssssss. I wonder if they will grow in AZ or maybe Wis. Love their happy yellow color.

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  11. ClaudeThursday, March 10, 2011

    I've always liked Mexican Sunflowers, but never actually grew any... Spring is just waking up here. I'll be out gardening soon... can hardly wait...

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  12. JudiThursday, March 10, 2011

    Hi Julie *hugs*
    how beautiful...such a lovely happy flower. Those plants really grow to be able to cut them back so much...thats what you get for weather like yours...*s*...

    I'll slip over to that blog. I like the quote. That is a new blog for me.

    I hope you've been having a great week!

    *hugs*
    Judi

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  13. JoyfulSunday, March 13, 2011

    I love bright sunflowers. These brighten my day!

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