Mexican Sunflower gets about 10 feet tall. Without support these plants will fall over eventually, and one by one the limbs will shear off the plant, hanging on to the main trunk by a thread. If left alone the fallen limbs will live and bloom. But it is basically a very unruly perennial. However, it is hard to find a flower more loved by butterflies than this one, so it is worth the frustration. I have finally found the perfect spot for it. Years ago Bert erected some cedar fencing around a bed in the Rose Garden. The enclosure was originally intended to prop up a noisette rose. The rose has since died (the cursed voles!), and all that has been growing in that enclosure are some perennials. Last year some Mexican Sunflowers popped up there, and I let them grow. They stayed upright because of the support around them. They re-seeded (with some help from me - I dead headed and threw the seed head down in there last winter) this year. And again, they are staying upright. They looked pretty when I drove in this morning. They are fall bloomers, and their beautiful show is just beginning.
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