u/beachgirlDE

Highly recommend growing Mexican Sunflowers.

First time growing in a large pot on the patio from seed. Insane amount of hummingbirds and butterflies and bees.

Flowers are about the size of a zinnia, plant is about 4 feet tall. I think next year I might use a tomato cage to contain it. We'll see.

Zone 7b, planted seeds after a cold Memorial Day weekend.

We adopted them from the SPCA 4 years ago, such lovers!

Zone 7b, Southern Delaware, planted seeds directed into large pots after a very chilly Memorial Day weekend.

Small orange are Orange Hat. Micro tomato, grown in a small pot, only got about 6 to 8 inches tall.

Medium orange are Sunrise Bumble Bee.

Larger tomatoes are Queen of the Night.

I ordered them from Baker Seeds after receiving their huge catalog in the middle of winter. I now know they are a "controversial" seed company. I did have a problem with their petunia seeds that ended up being two different types in the same seed packet.

I am luck enough to live a few miles from a fabulous vegetable stand which features the best heirlooms ($1 a tomato! or if overstocked, she sells them for 2 for $1!). Super good purple tomatoes this year plus all of the money goes into her son's college fund.

So next year who knows. I waffle between growing tomatoes every year. I've had very good luck with flowers this year, especially Mexican Sunflowers which have attracted a bunch of pollinators.

She was all over the Mexican sunflower plant, first time growing from seed. Highly recommend!

Direct sow into container! Zone 7b. Baker Seeds (I know now!).