Florist choice! Torch Tithonia rotundifolia Mexican sunflower heat & drought resistant 50 seeds 
 
Brilliant sizzling, scarlet-orange flowers cover this vibrant ornamental plant, with velvety textured leaves and huge 7 to 9cm (3 to 4in) dahlia-like blooms.Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch', also known as 'Red Torch' form large, but compact plants for the back of the border. The plant is multi-branched, giving multitudes of flowers per plant.Native to Mexico, where it grows tall, perhaps to 180cm (6ft) or more, but in our gardens it will only reach a respectable 90 to 120cm (3 to 4ft). 
Tithonia loves the sun and is tolerant of hot summer weather and drought, It will also tolerate infertile soil and a fair amount of neglect, giving blooms from mid summer until the first frosts. They are very easy and rewarding to grow, and perfect for new gardeners and children.It is one of the best flowers you can grow for attracting butterflies. The plants begin blooming in July and continue until frost. In late summer, a stand of Tithonia may attract a half dozen or more butterfly species with one or more individuals on every single bloom.Plant behind beds or borders where their vivid flowers will stand above less boisterous plantings. 
 
Sowing: Sow indoors in February to April, or sow directly outdoors in MayFor continuity of blooms for cut flowers, sow a succession of sunflowers every fortnight for six weeks in the early part of the growing season. The plants grow quickly and bloom from from July to October. In a hot summer, each cycle from sowing to blooming will take about 60 days. 
 
Sowing Indoors:For early flowers, start indoors as early as February or March, to germinate in about 10 days at 60 to 65°F. Plant out in April or May. Use 7.5cm (3in) pots and a good sowing compost. Sow one seed 2.5mm (1in) deep per pot. Water and either cover with polythene or bubble plastic to retain the heat, or place pots on a heated bench or in a propagator with the temperature set at 13°C (55°F).Remove the covers when the leaves appear. Plant seedlings outside when they are large enough to be handled and the root system is well developed. Add garden compost to the soil if it is heavy or infertile. 
 
Sowing Direct:Plant outside as early as possible to miss heavy frosts, to germinate in about 1 to 3 weeks. Sow seed 5cm (2in) deep and spaced 45cm (18in) apart in borders. Water seedlings regularly and, when growing tall forms, feed sparingly with  
a liquid fertiliser when 60cm (2ft) high. Avoid splashing water or fertiliser solution on the stems or leaves.Beware of slugs when they are still young plants and birds stealing the seeds. 
 
Cultivation:Tithonia must have full sun, but it will grow in average soil with good drainage. It is one of the most heat- and drought-resistant plants, growing reasonably well in soils of low fertility. Plant in the garden after all danger of frost has passed.Tithonia grow wide and branched, space the plants 75 to 90cm (30 to 36in) apart. Do not overwater.Protect the plants from high winds and stake them -- this is particularly important in late summer and fall when they are tall and top-heavy. Deadheading during the summer keeps it in bloom through most of the season.Though not immune from insect attack, it has no serious pest problems not even deer will find the leaves of Tithonia worth eating!