What Is Plant Fasciation?

coneflower with fasciation
Coneflower bloom with a deformity called fasciation

To gardeners, every flower is unique—but fasciated flowers absolutely stand out from the rest. Fasciated blooms show abnormal or unusual growth, sometimes resulting in the look of two or more flowers pushed together on the same stalk, or petals sprouting in the center. Their odd look can cause many gardeners to wonder if there’s something wrong with the plant on which they’ve appeared.

“Plant fasciations, although not very common, have intrigued gardeners and scientists for years,” gardening expert Melinda Myers explains. “I often receive calls from gardeners who see this on lilies, cockscombs, dandelions, asparagus and succulents.”

Learn about aster yellows disease and other coneflower problems.

Examples of Plant Fasciation

Foxglove

fasciation in foxglove

“I’ve never seen a foxglove flower like this (above). Is this unusual?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Danielle Gard of Sacramento, California.

Melinda says, “This unique growth is an example of fasciation. Most experts now agree fasciation is caused by random genetic mutation due to frost or physical damage, insect infestation, or a disease organism. The mutation results in flattened stems, a proliferation of flowers and other growths, as on this foxglove.

Fasciation is not contagious and may or may not appear next year. Foxgloves are one of more than 100 species in which fasciation has been observed. Enjoy the unique display!

Some fasciated plants have been propagated to create special varieties such as cockscomb celosia, fantail willow, and several kinds of cactuses and succulents.”

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan with fasciation
Black-eyed Susan flower with fasciation

“One year, my black-eyed Susans looked like this (above). The next year they were normal again. What’s going on?” asks reader Ann Dahlke of Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Melinda says, “Fasciation is a common occurrence on black-eyed Susans, lilies, some cacti and other plants. The abnormal growth may occur on the stem, flower, fruit or roots and may be flattened, crested or contorted. There is usually no need to be concerned. Enjoy the smiling blossom, or remove it if you don’t like the look.”

Gerbera Daisy

gerbera daisy with double bloom
Gerbera daisy with double bloom

“My red gerbera daisy formed this stunning double bloom. How often does this happen?” asks reader Sharon Williams of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

“That’s a fun discovery,” Melinda says. “The conjoined flowers are a result of fasciation. This phenomenon causes a flattening of stems, proliferation of buds and blooms, and two-headed flowers like your gerbera daisy. The abnormal growth occurs spontaneously as a result of a hormonal imbalance, genetic mutation or the plant’s response to its environment.

Is Fasciation Harmful to Plants?

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Fasciation caused this foxglove bloom stem to grow unusually large.

Melinda says, “Removing the affected stem is usually all that is needed.” However, it’s important to point out that Melinda mentions the unusual growth doesn’t hurt the plant, so it’s not necessary to remove it. “Keep an eye out for fasciations in the garden, take a picture, and see if the unique growth appears the following year,” she says.

Grow these disease-resistant plants for a fuss-free garden.

About the Expert

Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Bumblebees Are Found Around the World

bumblebee on gooseneck loosestrife flower
Bumblebee on gooseneck loosestrife

It’s a big world—in fact, about 250 bumblebee species live around the globe, with more than 40 in North America.

Learn about more beneficial bees you want in your garden.

Not All Bumblebees Have a Stinger

This one of our bumblebee facts might help you feel safer. If you fret about being stung, you need only look out for two bumblebee types: the Queen and female worker bees. Males don’t have a stinger!

Should you provide drinking water for bees?

Some Bumblebees Are Endangered

Shutterstock 1470653771 0001
Rusty patched bumblebee gathering pollen

The rusty patched bumblebee, which was once commonly found, has been on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered list since 2017.

Discover simple ways you can help the bees.

Bumblebees Form Large Families

A bumblebee colony holds anywhere from 50 to 500 individuals. These fast fliers have big families! Each colony has a queen. Bumblebees build their nests in cavities, such as hollow trees or abandoned rodent dens underground.

Psst—these are the best flowers that attract bees.

Bumblebees Shiver to Stay Warm

In cold temperatures, bumblebees can shiver to bring their bodies to their minimum flight temperature of 86 degrees.

Here’s how to tell the difference between bees vs flies.

Bumblebees vs. Honeybees

Unlike honeybees, which were first introduced to North America from Europe in the 1600s, bumblebees are native to the continent. They do produce some honey but much less than honeybees—not enough for humans to eat.

Bumblebees Are Important Pollinators

Be kind to bumblebees—around 70% of flowering plants rely on the work done by pollinators like bumblebees.

Is the thread-waisted wasp a harmful or helpful insect?

Bumblebee Wings Beat Very Fast

Bnbbyc17 Keith Dirago
Bumblebee at wild iris 

A bumblebee’s wings beat about 200 times per second. That’s one busy bee!

Bumblebees Appear in Pop Culture

Bumblebees have made many appearances in popular culture — the Hasbro Transformer named Bumblebee made his first appearance in 1984.

After you finish learning about bumblebee facts, check out these natural ways to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders.

Sources

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Facts About Lightning Bugs

Lightning bugs in a forest
Lightning bugs light up a forest

Whether you are lucky enough to see a lightning bug in your backyard or plan to head to a local spot for prime viewing, lightning bugs (aka fireflies) are synonymous with summer. Let’s illuminate some little-known truths about these fascinating, glowing creatures.

Firefly vs Lightning Bug

More than 2,000 species of lightning bugs and fireflies exist worldwide, including 170 in North America. But what’s the correct name? According to Adele Wellman, Allegany region environmental educator for New York State Parks, calling them either fireflies or lightning bugs is fine. “There is no difference between them; they are the same insects,” she says.

Though both names are correct, these flashers are technically neither bugs nor flies. Instead, they are beetles. Next time you’ve got one in your hands, look closely for hardened wing cases, the elytra. This is a key beetle characteristic.

Discover 7 fascinating ladybug facts you didn’t know.

How Long Do Lightning Bugs Live?

A lightning bug perched on a blade of grass, its abdomen lit in bright yellow light.
A lightning bug perched on a blade of grass, its abdomen lit in bright yellow light

“Fireflies go through complete metamorphosis,” Adele says. “They lay eggs in moist areas, and these hatch in about two weeks. The larvae grow for months, pupate underground or beneath tree bark, and then transform into adults.”

Adulthood is short-lived for these beetles. Most adult fireflies survive for just days or weeks.

Ladybug vs Asian beetle: what’s the difference?

Are Lightning Bugs Endangered?

“Growing up in northeast Florida, it seemed like there were thousands of lightning bugs. Now I hardly see any. Where did they go? Will we ever get them back like we used to have them years ago?” asks reader Anita Wilkinson.

Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say, “We agree—these flashing, glowing little insects are among our favorite sights of summer nights! Lightning bugs, also called fireflies, are actually beetles of the family Lampyridae. They’re still abundant in some rural areas, but in many regions their numbers have dropped.

Young fireflies develop in damp places, such as fields and woods near water, and they lose habitat as more and more areas are paved over. They may also be sensitive to pollution and pesticides. Another possible factor is that males and females use light to find each other, so as development brings more bright lights to the outdoors, their mating may be disrupted.”

What Do Lightning Bugs Eat?

Lightning bug larvae are voracious. Adele says that the small, armored, leggy predators live on earthworms, slugs and snails.

Though some adults do not eat at all, the predatory females in the Photuris genus mimic the flashing patterns of other firefly species to lure and eat males.

How and Why Do Lightning Bugs Light Up?

A lightning bug lands in the center of a pink cosmos flower and lights it with a soft glow as its petals begin to furl for the evening.

Not all fireflies flash, but both the eggs and larvae glow. Scientists think this is a hint to leave young fireflies alone—a clear warning to would-be attackers of their potentially bitter taste. Adult firefly abdomens have light-producing organs. Within these lanterns, chemicals, enzymes and other compounds mix to produce light.

The blinking rates can help identify different species. “It may take a while for your eyes to adjust, but when they do, note how many different flash patterns you see,” Adele says.

Learn how to control a Japanese beetle infestation.

Some Lightning Bugs Flash in Unison

One fascinating type of firefly flashes in unison. In the U.S., these synchronous fireflies were once thought to live only in the Smoky Mountains, but recently they’ve been discovered in other pockets along the Appalachians.  Synchronous fireflies prefer mature, dark forests, according to Adele. One of her favorite programs at Allegany State Park is leading firefly trips that include viewing synchronous species.

See 8 bugs you should never kill in your garden.

When Do Lightning Bugs Come Out?

Lightning bugs flicker while hovering over a cornfield in Amity Township on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. IMAGE Weather Art Enterprise Wild Art RNP Really Neat Photo Last Look Spadea. Photo by Jeremy Drey
Lightning bugs flicker while hovering over a cornfield

With so many species worldwide, lightning bugs are found in many habitats, including deep woods, meadows, marshes, swamps and fields. They often like to be near water sources.

“They prefer hot and humid nights,” Adele says. “Heavy rains or cooler temperatures cause them to slow their flash.”

Light hampers fireflies’ ability to see one another, so these bright beetles seek out dark areas. The summer viewing season begins as early as May and lasts until September—peak watching coincides with the warmest months of the year.

If you want to help researchers monitor these bright fliers, record your sightings with the Firefly Watch program.

How to Watch Lightning Bugs

Follow environmental educator Adele’s top hints for observing nature’s fireworks:

  • Wear long pants and sleeves. If you must use bug spray to repel biting insects, do not handle fireflies.
  • Use a red- or blue-light flashlight to avoid confusing them.
  • Walk carefully, as many female fireflies land on the ground.
  • Bring a chair or a mat so you can sit back and enjoy the flashing glow.

Next, check out fascinating dragonfly facts you should know.

About the Experts

Adele Wellman is the Allegany region environmental educator for New York State Parks. She has a degree in biology and a special interest in insects, including lightning bugs.

Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the authors of the Kaufman Field Guide series and the official birding experts for Birds & Blooms.

Sources

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

What Does a White-Winged Dove Look Like?

White-winged Dove perched in a tree near Rio Grande City, South Texas
White-winged dove perched in a tree near Rio Grande City, Texas

It can be tricky to tell doves apart. The white-winged dove is sometimes confused with the Eurasian collared-dove and mourning dove. They may have very similar grayish-brown coloring and are around the same size and shape. You can identify white-winged doves by their namesake white wing stripe.

Keith A. Arnold, Professor emeritus at Texas A&M University, says “Slightly smaller than a rock pigeon, white-wings have a white-tipped fan-shaped tail (brown in juveniles) and broad white wing patches, hence the common name.”

White-Winged Dove Calls and Sounds

Bird songs courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

According to the Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America, birders should listen for a rich cooing sound, described as “too soon to tell.”

Keith says the birds have a variety of calls, sometimes sounding much like a barred owl’s “who-cooks-for-you” call.

Do mourning dove feathers and wings make noise?

What Do White-Winged Doves Eat?

A white winged dove perching at a platform feeder.
A white-winged dove perching at a platform feeder.

Keith says, “These doves are seed-eaters. (Where they eat) depends on what is available. They will feed in grain fields or weedy pastures and everything in between.”

This dove prefers a suburban habitat, but often moves into agricultural areas in flocks after breeding to forage in the fields.

If you live in their range, you might spot them at your backyard feeding station. “White-wings literally flock to feeders or, more accurately, grain spread on the ground,” says Keith. “I have had some doves learn how to use hanging feeders. They will eat standard bird seed mixes or grains like milo (grain sorghum).”

According to the Arizona-Sonora Desert museum, white-winged doves also eat sip nectar and eat cactus fruits (a source of water for the birds) in desert habitats.

white-winged dove
A white-winged dove is a seed-eating bird.

Birds and Blooms reader Dorothee Jeffers writes, “For the first time, I grew artichoke from seeds to attract wildlife to my backyard. This white-winged dove (above) landed on the dried up thistle heads looking for a snack.”

Mourning dove vs pigeon: what’s the difference?

White-Winged Dove Range and Migration

white-winged dove
The range of this species has expanded in the U.S.

According to Keith, white-winged doves once were only found in south Florida, the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and southern Arizona. “In the 1980s, white-wings began to spread northward. Now these birds occur in the U.S. from Florida north to the mid-Atlantic states, across the Gulf and border states to the Great Lakes and across to the Pacific Northwest, absent from the Rocky Mountains and the north-central states.”

Some, but not all of these birds migrate. “White-winged doves are migratory in the northern portion of their range, but sedentary in the southern parts,” Keith says. “I do not know where this behavior might change, but I suspect that a broad area exists in which birds might migrate in some years, but not in others, depending on weather conditions.

Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say, “White-winged doves are related to mourning doves, but they’re mainly tropical and subtropical birds, common from the southwestern states and Florida, south to Central America and the Caribbean. They have been expanding their range northward in recent years in the Great Plains—they are now seen regularly in Oklahoma and Kansas. Wandering individuals have appeared a few times in most Canadian’ provinces, and even in Alaska.”

Did you know: Stevie Nicks’s famous song “Edge of Seventeen” opens with a white-winged dove. She says she was inspired after learning about the bird while traveling.

Is a turtledove a real type of bird?

Nesting Habits

White-Winged Dove on nest
White-winged dove on nest

These doves nest in shrubs and tree, often in large colonies. The loosely woven nests are built of twigs, much like mourning doves. They lay two white eggs and may have several clutches in a season. White-winged doves also build their nests in cholla and saguaro cactuses, up to 30 feet high.

Keith says, “Given the high annual mortality of white-wings, it’s not surprising that these birds do not mate for life.” He explains, “This is a prime bird for hunters. Hunting is not a threat to these birds. At this time, I don’t see any concern for conservation.”

Next, learn more about the mourning dove lifespan: how long do doves live?

About the Experts

Keith A. Arnold is a Professor Emeritus with Texas A&M University. He taught ornithology for 39 years and had an active research program.

Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official birding experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they speak and lead birding trips around the world.

Sources

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Additional reporting by Kaitlin Stainbrook

Do you love mature landscapes, but not the wait it takes to get there? Don’t worry—there are plenty of great fast-growing trees to choose from. You need to be a bit careful when it comes to this type of tree, because quick growth often leads to weak wood and a short life. However, choose wisely and you’ll be rewarded with both speedy results and long-lasting beauty.

Check out 15 trees you should never grow in your yard.

Zelkova

Japanese Zelkova (zelkova Serrata)

Zelkova serrata, Zones 5 to 8

Size: 50 to 60 feet

The vase-shaped growth habit may remind you of an elm, but the smooth gray bark and lovely red to purple fall color will take you by surprise. These adaptable fast growing trees tolerate a wide range of conditions, including wind and drought, once established.

Why we love it: Zelkova, a member of the elm family, is relatively resistant to the deadly Dutch elm disease.

Learn how to grow an Eastern red cedar tree.

Sweetbaymagnolia Bailey

Sweet Bay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana, Zones 5 to 9

Size: 10 to 20 feet in the north and 60 feet in the south

Lemon-scented flowers, dark green leaves and its evergreen nature in southern gardens make this a good patio or specimen plant. Watch as the wind rustles the leaves exposing their silvery undersides. Provide proper care for quicker growth.

Why we love it: It’s more tolerant of shade and wet areas than other magnolias.

Check out the top 10 small flowering trees for your yard.

Eastern White Pine Pinus Strobus

White Pine

Pinus strobus, Zones 3 to 7

Size: 50 to 80 feet

Pyramidal in youth and picturesque with age makes this a delightful evergreen tree throughout its lifetime. Some gardeners shear it into hedges while others give it room to grow into an elegant specimen. Avoid high winds, air pollution and salt to extend its lifespan.

Why we love it: The many cultivars include upright, contorted and dwarf forms, and there is one suited to just about any landscape.

Disover fascinating facts about fir trees.

Crapemyrtle Bailey

Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica, Zones 7 to 9

Size: 15 to 25 feet

There is a reason crape myrtles fill southern yards. The exfoliating bark exposes shades of brown and gray, adding year-round interest to any space. A long season of white, pink, purple or deep red blooms and outstanding fall color add beauty to every season in your landscape.

Why we love it: This nimble quick growing tree is beautiful alone, in small groups or added to the mixed border.

Red Maple Tree in Sleeping Bear Dunes

Red Maple

Acer rubrum, Zones 3 to 9

Size: 40 to 60 feet

This native tree’s red flower buds and blooms add subtle color to the early spring landscape. They finish off the season when the green leaves turn a brilliant red in fall. Select a cultivar with good branch structure and reliable fall color such as Red Sunset or Northwoods.

Why we love it: Acidic soil is a must, but the hybrid Freeman maple (red maple crossed with silver) has both the red maple’s fall color and the silver maple’s alkaline soil tolerance.

Grow a dogwood tree for beauty and the birds.

warbler in pin oak tree
Yellow-throated warbler in pin oak tree

Pin Oak

Quercus palustris, Zones 4 to 8

Size: 60 to 70 feet 

A fast-growing oak? You bet! The pin oak’s pyramidal shape and fine branches provide a year-round silhouette in the backyard. The glossy green leaves turn russet, bronze or red in the fall. Though tolerant of most growing conditions, acidic soil is a must.

Why we love it: The pin oak attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and provides food for the gray hairstreak butterfly and squirrels.

Here’s why you need an oak tree in your backyard.

River Birch Betula Nigra, Catkins, fast growing trees

River Birch

Betula nigra, Zones 3 to 9

Size: 40 to 70 feet 

The exfoliating bark reveals shades of white, salmon, and brown making this a standout in the landscape. This beauty tolerates both wet and dry soil and is resistant to the bronze birch borer. Look for cultivars like Dura Heat and Heritage; they have more white in their bark and are more heat-tolerant. Grow it in slightly acidic soil for long-lasting results.

Why we love it: The smaller cultivar, Fox Valley (also known as Little King), only grows to 10 to 12 feet and is suitable for smaller landscapes.

Try these dwarf conifers for small spaces.

Larch Trees Larix Decidua) In Autumn fast growing trees

Larch

Larix decidua, Zones 2 to 4

Size: 50 feet or more

Don’t fret when the needles of this conifer tree turn a dazzling yellow-gold in fall. The colorful fall needles will be replaced with fresh new needles each spring. Grow alone or in groups and enjoy the seasonal changes this native tree provides.

Why we love it: The European and Japanese larches allow gardeners with slightly different growing conditions to still enjoy the beauty of this tree.

Get expert hawthorn tree care and growing tips.

Dark branches of Sophora japonica tree with white flowers against blue sky in August

Japanese Pagoda Tree

Styphnolobium japonicum (formerly Sophora japonica), Zones 4 to 7

Size: Up to 50 feet

Also known as scholar-tree, this tree’s bright green foliage and summer bloom make it a nice addition to any landscape. Grow in a mulch bed or mixed border, so the flower petals and ornamental pods will drop out of sight.

Why we love it: The large creamy white flowers are fragrant and brighten the landscape in mid to late summer.

Learn how to grow a tulip poplar tree.

Koreanmountainashbailey fast growing trees

Korean Mountain Ash

Sorbus alnifolia, Zones 4 to 7

Size: 40 to 50 feet

Beautiful white flowers in spring are followed by small pinkish-red to scarlet fruit in the fall. The fruit persists and adds to the fall display as the leaves turn from green to yellow-orange in the fall. Grow in moist, well-drained soil for faster growth and longevity.

Why we love it: Birds love the berries, just like with other mountain ash trees, but this type is more pest-resistant.

More Fast Growing Trees to Grow

And the list goes on! Here are a few more quick growing trees. Make sure the trees you select are hardy in your area, suited to the growing conditions and will fit the available space once mature.

  • American linden (Tilia americana)
  • Red oak (Quercus rubra)
  • Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii)
  • Sargent cherry (Prunus sargentii)
  • Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
  • Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
  • American sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua)
  • Fruitless sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua ‘Rotundifolia’)
  • Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Sources

The Arbor Day Foundation

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Easy to grow and useful all year-round, sunflowers are crowd-pleasers. Summer’s bright blooms bring joy to gardeners and pollinators, and naturally dried seeds provide local wildlife with a food source in winter. They thrive in most soil types and climates, as long as they’re in a sunny spot. Follow these proven tips for growing sunflowers.

Enjoy 30 stunning sunflower pictures that radiate beauty.

Sunflower Care and Growing Tips

251875297 1 Danna Cable Bnb Bypc2020
Sun-loving sunflowers are easy to grow

Sunflowers are truly one of the easiest plants to grow, but they do have a few requirements. They need at least six hours of sunlight per day and well-drained soil. They benefit from organic matter. Keep the area under sunflowers mulched for better results.

  • Common name: sunflower
  • Scientific name: Helianthus annuus
  • Zones: Annual
  • Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies
  • Light needs: Full sun
  • Size: Standard varieties grow up to 10 feet tall
  • Grown for: Sunflower heads contain 1,000 to 2,000 seeds and feed birds all year
  • Foliage: Stalks fade to brown in the winter

Grow Mexican sunflower in pollinator gardens.

Pick the Right Sunflower Varieties to Grow

Bnbbyc16 Kimberly Coffey 001
Mammoth grey stripe sunflowers

You can find many sunflower options on the market today, but not all of them are suitable food sources for birds. If you’re planning on growing sunflowers, make sure they produce a good supply of seeds. Super Snack Mix, Royal Hybrid, and Mammoth Russian all produce seeds in abundance.

Check out the top 10 sunny sunflower varieties to grow.

When to Plant Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower plant
Direct sow seeds after the last frost date in your area.

Sunflowers have the best seed buffet in late summer to early fall. For longer harvest time, stagger your planting time from spring to midsummer. This way, you can attract birds and enjoy the blooms for months.

Did you know—tomatoes make great sunflower companion plants.

Sunflower Bird Benefits 

278027819 1 Steven Bloemendaal Bnb Bypc 2021 1
American goldfinch eating from a dried sunflower seed head.

In late summer, gather your sunflower heads and put them in a dry place to dehydrate (or simply stop pruning). You can then hang them out by your feeders. This will create a supply of high-fat seeds for birds that last well into winter.

Do hummingbirds like sunflowers?

Birds that Eat Sunflower Seeds

growing sunflowers
Black-capped chickadee started feeding on sunflowers
  • Northern cardinal
  • Chickadees
  • Finches
  • Tufted titmouse
  • Grosbeaks
  • Nuthatches
  • Woodpeckers
  • Pine siskin
  • Jays
  • Sparrows

Next, learn how to choose sunflower seeds for birds.

Sources

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Why You Should Grow Mexican Sunflower

mexican sunflower hummingbird
Female ruby-throated hummingbird at a Mexican sunflower

Bright and vibrant, a Mexican sunflower spices up gardens both with their colorful blooms and through the wildlife they attract.

“Mexican sunflowers are loved as a pollinator favorite, supporting butterflies, hummingbirds and a host of beneficial bugs,” says Tabar Gifford, a master gardener with American Meadows. “They are a low-maintenance choice, great for new gardeners, plus deer and other hungry critters tend to leave them alone.”

The blooms of Mexican sunflowers range from red and orange to yellow, with fuzzy stalks that branch out in a big, gangly bunch. They resemble native prairie sunflowers and zinnia more than common sunflowers. Native to Central America and Mexico, they are hearty in arid regions, plus grow quickly into full, lush landscapes with an abundance of flower heads.

“That makes them a nectar buffet for swallowtails, monarchs and other butterflies,” says Keri Wilson, a horticulturist with Garden Media Group. “Tithonia also thrives in heat, blooming even when other flowers start to wilt and fade, making it an excellent late-season food source for migrating butterflies.”

Mexican Sunflower Care and Growing Tips

309884087 1 David Meyer Bnb Pc 2022
These tall, summer-blooming flowers are a great choice for a pollinator garden.
  • Scientific name: Tithonia rotundifolia
  • Common names: Mexican sunflower, tree marigold, Mexican tournesol, Japanese sunflower, Nitobe chrysanthemum, red sunflower
  • Zones: annual in zones 2 to 11, perennial in zones 9 to 11
  • Light needs: full sun
  • Water needs: drought-tolerant
  • Soil: well-drained, poor to average
  • Size: 4 to 6 feet tall
  • Attracts: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Plant Mexican sunflowers in the spring, after the last frost. Good locations include the back of borders or vegetable garden edges to attract pollinators. Start seeds indoors or sow directly on top of the ground, covered with a shallow amount of soil or seed starting mix. Expect germination in about 10 days.

People typically grow Mexican sunflowers in the ground. They will also work in large, stable containers with good drainage, like a half-whiskey-barrel style planter.

“Containers made from natural materials are preferable due to their porous nature, which closely emulates their desired environment,” says Laura Root, a horticulturist with Park Seed.

Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new buds. Once the season is over, harvest seeds for next year’s planting, but leave some stalks standing over winter for the birds.

Mexican Sunflower Varieties

310012801 1 Ed Szymanski Bnb Pc 2022
Monarch butterfly on Torch

Popular cultivars of Mexican sunflowers include:

  • Torch: rusty-red flowers, particularly adored by monarchs
  • Goldfinger: shrubby with red-orange blooms
  • Fiesta del Sol: a dwarf with prolific, fast-emerging blooms

Pitfalls of Growing of Mexican Sunflowers

goldfinch eating mexican sunflower seeds
American goldfinch eats seeds from a dried Mexican sunflower bloom

Mexican sunflowers are generally pest-resistant and low-maintenance, with few growing challenges. But there are a couple of problems to watch out for:

  • They may require staking, especially in windy areas. “In addition, they are often broken by curious and hungry birds,” says Laura.
  • Overcrowding can create poor air circulation
  • Boggy soil can lead to root rot
  • If they don’t get enough sunlight, they can get lanky or scraggly
  • Under the right conditions, they can reseed prolifically

“While this can benefit gardeners who enjoy a naturalized look, monitoring their spread to prevent potential invasiveness in certain regions is essential,” says Laura. “The more you cut for bouquets, the less seeding will occur, keeping the plant very manageable.”

Mexican Sunflowers Vs. Common Sunflowers

zebra swallowtail butterfly mexican sunflower
Zebra swallowtail on Mexican sunflower

The most pronounced differences are that Mexican sunflowers have smaller, red-orange daisy-like flowers and typically grow faster than common sunflowers (Helianthus annuus). Common sunflower seeds are also larger and less bitter, which means they tend to be a better bet for attracting a greater diversity of birds. Nectar-rich Mexican sunflowers are particularly delightful for pollinators.

“Both love similar growing conditions and are a cheerful, easy-to-grow addition to your garden,” says Tabar. “Tithonia is a better choice for areas where you want some height, but not so tall they block the view.”

About the Experts

Tabar Gifford is a master gardener and sustainable community development advocate with American Meadows seed company.

Laura Root is a horticulturist and avid educator with Park Seed seed company.

Keri Wilson is a horticulturist who writes about plants and plant issues for Garden Media Group.

Sources

University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Identification

baltimore checkerspot butterfly
Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly on marsh milkweed
  • Wingspan: 1 3/4 to 2 3/4 inches
  • Markings: Black with a band of large orange spots along the wing edges and inner bands of white spots
  • Range: Seen in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada, and occasionally as far south as Arkansas and Alabama
  • Habitat: Meadows, bogs and marshes in the northeastern range and open or wooded hillsides in the southwestern range
  • Eggs: Start yellow and turn red
  • Host Plants: Turtlehead, hairy beardtongue, English plantain and false foxglove

To spot a Baltimore checkerspot, look for a black butterfly with a band of large orange spots along the wing edges and inner bands of white spots. Typically, Baltimore checkerspot butterflies are found in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. Sometimes they travel as far south as Arkansas and Alabama. Their preferred habitat consists of meadows, bogs and marshes in the northeastern range, and open or wooded hillsides in the southwestern range.

Also important to note is the relative trickiness of finding the butterfly, even within its range. “The striking colors of the little Baltimore checkerspot make it hard to confuse with any other butterfly,” says Birds & Blooms contributor and butterfly expert Jill Staake. “Spotting it might take a bit of luck, though. It can be abundant in some local areas, while completely absent from others nearby.”

baltimore checkerspot
The Baltimore checkerspot has been the official state insect of Maryland since 1973.

Jill notes that in Maryland, where the Baltimore checkerspot is the state butterfly, it’s become so uncommon that the state lists it as rare. Because their habitat is often disappearing in their range, the butterflies have become harder and harder to find.

Learn to identify more kinds of butterflies you might see.

Baltimore Checkerspot Caterpillar and Host Plants

Baltimore,checkerspot,butterfly,caterpillar,eating,penstemon
Baltimore checkerspot caterpillar

Pick out a Baltimore checkerspot caterpillar by making note of its alternating bands of orange and black with rows of branchlike spines. Checkerspot eggs start yellow and turn red.

Find out what a monarch caterpillar looks like.

One way to help checkerspots, Jill says, is to plant their native host plant: white turtlehead. “As [white turtlehead] has become rarer, this species has also started using non-native English plantain, which many people pull as a weed from their garden,” she says.

Jill also explains that something as simple as leaving leaf litter can be beneficial to checkerspots. “This butterfly, which generally only has one brood per year, overwinters as a caterpillar,” she says. “They burrow into leaf litter in groups, hunkering down until the following spring. By preserving leaf litter in your yard, you help protect any overwintering caterpillars.”

About the Expert

Jill Staake‘s lifelong love of nature turned into a career during the years she spent working with native Florida butterflies, caterpillars, and other wildlife at the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, Florida. During this time, she helped to maintain 30+ acres of gardens and backwoods, all carefully cultivated to support the more than 20 species of butterflies displayed indoors and out. She now writes for a variety of publications and sites on topics like gardening, birding, and education, among others.

Sources

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

High Angle View Of Male Mallard Duck With Bread In Beak On Pier
Do not feed bread to mallard ducks; choose cracked corn or bird seed instead.

Of course, we always want to do what is best for the birds. Unfortunately, sometimes what we think is best might actually be hurting them. This tends to be the case with bread and ducks. Bread pretty much offers no nutritional value to ducks, but they will still take an easy handout when available.

Not only is too much bread bad for adults, it can be even worse for ducklings. They need a diet high in protein to grow and bread offers only carbohydrates.

Meet the mallard: the most common duck in the world.

Ask the Experts: Is Bread Safe for Ducks?

bird feeding myths, foods to feed ducks bread

Reader Brittany Hook asks, “Is it OK to give wild birds our leftover whole wheat bread to eat?”

Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say a regular diet of bread products fed to waterfowl can cause serious harm.

“We discourage people from feeding bread to birds, as there are far too many potential risks. With so many other food options, we’d recommend avoiding it. Bread gets moldy quickly, and mold can pose a number of health problems for birds,” they explain.

“If the chunks of bread are too large, they can actually block the digestive tract. Bread doesn’t have much nutritional value as a food source for most of your favorite fliers, so when it’s fed to them on a regular basis, it can cause nutrient insufficiencies. Bread is also more likely to attract raccoons, rats and other unwelcome guests.”

Learn how to identify a wood duck.

Best Foods to Feed Ducks

what to feed ducks
Wild ducks can find plenty of food on their own in nature.

There are plenty of natural food sources in the wild, and ducks do not need our help to survive. But if you still would like to feed ducks, consider options that are better than bread.

  • Cracked Corn – Attract ducks with cracked corn. Sprinkle a few kernels in a dry place under a bird feeder. Look for cracked corn, not whole kernel corn; it’s much easier for smaller birds to eat. You can find this at most bird feeding stores. It’s an affordable and good alternative to bread.
  • Duck Pellets – This is one of the better food options you can offer. Duck feed pellets can be found at many farming stores and online.
  • Bird Seed – Ducks will eat the same types of bird seed that many of your other birds eat. In fact, in my yard, they tend to clean up anything the other birds drop under my feeders.

Remember, there is plenty of natural food around for ducks to eat. But if you want to know what to feed ducks, make sure to choose food that is nutritious and not harmful.

What is that black duck with the white beak?

About the Experts

Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official bird experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they lead birding trips all over the world.

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.