{"product_id":"tithonia-goldfinger","title":"Tithonia Goldfinger","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTithonia rotundifolia 'Goldfinger'\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMexican Sunflower 'Goldfinger' (RHS AGM)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe late-summer butterfly magnet — \u003cstrong\u003evivid deep orange-red velvety flowers\u003c\/strong\u003e with brilliant golden centres on a compact 60–90cm plant that creates a hedge-like architectural presence in August and September. Tithonia 'Goldfinger' holds the \u003cstrong\u003eRHS Award of Garden Merit\u003c\/strong\u003e for outstanding late-summer butterfly biodiversity, and is widely considered one of the \u003cstrong\u003esingle best plants for attracting butterflies\u003c\/strong\u003e to the UK cottage border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIf you've ever wanted to bring Red Admirals, Peacocks and Painted Ladies into your garden in numbers, Tithonia 'Goldfinger' is the variety to grow. This compact selection of the Mexican Sunflower produces \u003cstrong\u003espectacular suede-textured velvety flowers in a vibrant shade of deep orange-red\u003c\/strong\u003e, each centred with a brilliant golden eye. The blooms glow with the intensity of a setting sun, providing architectural and tactile drama to the late-summer garden. The \u003cstrong\u003epetals have a luxurious suede-like texture, while the hollow stems are covered in a soft tactile downy fuzz\u003c\/strong\u003e — Tithonia is genuinely one of the most tactile plants you can grow. \u003cstrong\u003eRHS Award of Garden Merit\u003c\/strong\u003e. Half-hardy annual (H2). \u003cstrong\u003eOne of the most remarkable features is the \"Shrub Effect\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — Tithonia is capable of rapidly creating a substantial hedge-like mass of foliage topped with dozens of flowers in just a single season, providing late-summer architectural presence that fills the gap as earlier summer plants wind down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on growing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTithonia has two specific cultivation requirements that distinguish it from other annuals:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. The \"Sulk Warning\" — never plant into cold soil\u003c\/strong\u003e: Tithonia is a Mexican heat-seeker. If planted out too early into cold wet May soil, it will turn yellow and \"sulk\", often refusing to grow. \u003cstrong\u003eWait until June when the soil is genuinely warm\u003c\/strong\u003e before transplanting. Patience is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2. Staking is non-negotiable\u003c\/strong\u003e: despite their robust appearance, \u003cstrong\u003eTithonia stems are hollow and brittle\u003c\/strong\u003e. They must be supported with stakes at planting time, or grown in blocks where they can lean on each other to prevent snapping in wind or heavy rain. Install supports as you plant — not when stems are tall and fragile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSowing\u003c\/strong\u003e: surface-sow March–May at 20–25°C. Maintain warm consistent conditions. Germination 7–14 days. Pot on as seedlings develop. Harden off carefully and plant out \u003cstrong\u003ein JUNE\u003c\/strong\u003e in full sun. Space 45–60cm apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOngoing care\u003c\/strong\u003e: Tithonia is relatively drought-tolerant once established but consistent moisture increases flower production. \u003cstrong\u003eAvoid very rich or heavily-manured soil\u003c\/strong\u003e, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowering. Ordinary well-drained border soil with a \u003cstrong\u003efortnightly liquid potash (tomato) feed from July\u003c\/strong\u003e is the optimal nutrition regime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it shines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn late-summer cottage borders as \u003cstrong\u003ethe\u003c\/strong\u003e plant for August-September butterfly action — Red Admirals, Peacocks and Painted Ladies arrive in numbers and feed continuously on the broad flat-topped flowers. As an architectural back-of-border anchor for late-summer drama. In hot-toned cottage colour schemes where the deep orange-red provides serious warm intensity. As cut flowers for warm-toned autumn arrangements (with proper stem-conditioning — hollow stems need careful handling).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe textbook hot-border combination: pair Tithonia with \u003cstrong\u003eRudbeckia 'Marmalade'\u003c\/strong\u003e for the \u003cstrong\u003efire and earth border\u003c\/strong\u003e — the deep orange-red of Tithonia paired with the glowing golden-orange of Marmalade creates a smouldering display perfect for August and September. With \u003cstrong\u003eZinnia 'Lilliput Mix'\u003c\/strong\u003e for the \u003cstrong\u003eMexican heat-seekers combination\u003c\/strong\u003e — both love the same hot sun and plenty of water; the tight pompom heads of Lilliput Zinnias provide a wonderful shape contrast to the large Tithonia daisies. With \u003cstrong\u003eCosmos 'Sensation Dazzler'\u003c\/strong\u003e for matching crimson cottage drama.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64766396334429,"sku":"TIT-GLD","price":2.3,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/1185\/5965\/files\/IMG-5266.jpg?v=1779457373","url":"https:\/\/turfstoreuk.com\/products\/tithonia-goldfinger","provider":"Turf Store UK ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}