Many delightfully exotic flower of Mexico fill the gardens of the United States ' southerly neighbor . colored and fragrant , many Mexican efflorescence can also be develop north of the border or in flowerpot indoors .
Before planting any non - native species in the garden , however , check the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones and invasiveness potential , as well as the plant ’s environmental needs .
Mexico’s Diverse Environments
Mexico is a land of many biogeographical region . From the northern comeupance to the tropical forests of the Yucatan , the rocky Baja seashore to inland valleys to the volcanic mountains , there ’s a multitude of clime and temperature zones where alien flowers , fruits , razzing and animals thrive .
Colorful bougainvillea and poinsettias grow in gardens , and exotic orchids can be found in trees and homes around the nation . When take an exotic prime from Mexico , consider the USDA geographical zone , light and water requirements when planting outdoors in the garden or design to take the plants indoors for the wintertime .
Dahlia: The National Flower of Mexico
No article on the exotic flowers of Mexico could be write without the inclusion of the dahlia ( Dahlia pinnata ) , which is the home bloom .
Native to Mexico and Central America , dahlia choose tender temperatures , consistent wet and organically plenteous , well - drain acidic grease . They blossom well in part shade and part sun with good afternoon spectre in the hot climates .
The first dahlia species exported to Spain wereDahlia pinnata , Dahlia roseaandDahlia coccinea . Since its founding , many cultivars have been evolve in a wide range of size , colors and bloom type .
Bougainvillea
While originally from South America , the colorful flower of bougainvillea ( Bougainvillea spp . ) are find all over Mexico , growing up and over wall , on trellis and pergola , and trained to a shrub form .
These thorny , woodsy vines thrive in full sun in acid loamy and sandy soils . The flowers are made up of three small white blossoms surrounded by three to six colourful bracts , which are modified leaves .
The sharp , 1 - inch - long green thorns are hidden amid the fleeceable leafage ; use caution when planting and pruning or institute a spineless cultivar like ' Miss Alice . '
Flor de la Concepción Orchid
The flor de la concepción ( Laelia rubescens ) is a perennial epiphytic orchid found in Mexico and Central America . While it has escaped cultivation in subtropical and tropic clime like Florida and Cuba , it can be grow as a houseplant in colder climates without fear of invasiveness .
Plant in an orchid lot filled with chunky orchid intermixture . Allow the mix to dry before lacrimation , and then put the toilet in the sink and allow room temperature water supply trickle into it until it has absorbed enough moisture to wet the admixture and roots . Place the orchid in a windowpane that receives morning or evening sunshine with permeate light during the hot part of the 24-hour interval .
Frangipani
aboriginal to tropical Mexico , Central America and northern Venezuala , thefrangipani(Plumeria rubra ) thrives in warm , sunny garden .
Plant this small tree in large containers in a flaxen potting intermixture and take it indoors when temperatures dip below 60 ° F . Keep it in a cool 50 to 55 ° F room and reduce lachrymation until new growth appears in spring .
Mexican Bird of Paradise
Native to northerly Mexico , Central and South America , theMexican hiss of paradise(Caesalpinia mexicana ) and its close relative , the crimson Mexican bird of paradise ( Caesalpinia pulcherrima ) produce fragrant flowers from bounce through fall .
These shrub thrive in full and part sunlight as well as part shade . While they tolerate drouth , a little urine in the summer increases heyday production . They can be dress into undivided or multi - cauline tree forms .
While they share a common name , the Mexican bird of paradise , a member of the pea or legume family ( Fabaceae ) , is not related to the south African bird of paradise ( Strelitzia reginae , USDA zones 9 to 11 ) .
Barbados pridefulness or pride of Barbados , Mexican caesalpinia , peacock butterfly bloom
Mexican Honeysuckle or Firecracker Plant
Mexican honeysuckle ( Justicia spicigera ) is a modest bush that features orange tube-shaped flowers that pull in bees , hummingbirds and other pollinators . It thrives in full sun and partial shade , but benefits from afternoon tint in red-hot summertime clime .
plant life in somewhat acidulous to neutral , well - drain soil and water regularly , but do n’t overwater , as it affects flower output . pare to shape in previous winter .
Mexican Prickly Poppy
The Mexican prickly poppy ( Argemone mexicanasyn . Argemone leiocarpa ) is a prickly plant that feature the papery flowers typical of the poppy family ( Papaveraceae ) . While it expand in full Dominicus and neutral - to - acidic teetotal sandy soils , it incline to be encroaching and is considered a serious agricultural weed .
deal imbed annual species like corn or Shirley poppies ( genus Papaver rhoeas ) or repeated / biennial California poppies ( Eschscholzia californica’Chrome Queen , ' USDA zones 8 to 10 ) instead of this Mexican poppy .
Warning
In improver to its invading tendency , all part of the Mexican splenetic poppy plant , flush and seeds are highly toxic to humans , ducky and stock if take in in big quantities . This can leave in gastric and respiratory distress as well as convulsions . Keep out of reach of children and positron emission tomography .
Mexican or Red Sunflower
The Tithonia species includes 10 to 15 species of annuals , perennial and shrubs native to Mexico and Central America . The Mexican helianthus ( Tithonia diversifolia ) is a fast - growing annual that feature 3 - column inch blossoms that attract bees , butterflies and hummingbird .
Mexican helianthus are not related to the familiar annualsunflowers(Helianthusspp . ) grown for their tasty seeds and bright flowers however . Once instal , this bushy plant is relatively drought tolerant . The prime are often used in bouquets .
guasmara , jalacate , Nitobe chrysanthemum , bush sunflower , tree marigold
Ojo de Venado or Mexican Passionflower
Among the more alien flower , the ojo de venado or Mexican passionflower ( Passiflora mexicana ) is find in the south of the boundary line along riverbanks , washes and occasionally on dry Mesa . It is seldom found outside of Mexico .
Unlike the plush flowers of other passionflower species , the petal are narrow-minded fibril environ a large white-livered nitty-gritty . The plant have a pungent odour that resembles mothball , so implant them windward from the terrace .
The unripe fruits and leaves of all passionflower coinage are toxic . Keep out of reach of children and pet .
Poinsettia
The colorfulpoinsettia(Euphorbia pulcherrima ) , often purchased as part of the Christmas or vacation décor , is a bush in its aboriginal habitat . The flowers are colorful leaf bracts surrounding tiny yellow bloom , which look from wintertime through spring .
The holiday painted leaf can be saved by regularly lachrymation until springtime , then fertilizing and abstract back to shape the plant . Give it morning time sun with good afternoon tad or dappled shade through summer . In September , take the plant inside and put it into consummate darkness for at least 12 time of day every nighttime . When the bracts change color , it is ready for the holidays .
Tip
While the notion that poinsettia are poisonous is still being repeated as a fact , a discipline by Ohio State University in 1971 point that this colored plant is not toxic if ingested . Still , like any other plant , eat the leaves or bracts may result in a stomachache and disgorgement . Despite its lack of perniciousness , the poinsettia ’s white , latex paint - like sap can do cutis provocation and supersensitive reaction in sensitive mortal , so keep out of reach of children and favourite .
Yucca or Banana Yucca
The banana yucca ( Yucca baccata ) produce flower stalks up to 2 feet magniloquent and feature large heyday in other summer . When mature , the banana - like fruit are filled with seeds and reportedly are most flavoursome when heated or roasted .
aboriginal to the gamy deserts of northwest Mexico and the Southwest , it is not people friendly but arrive at a lovely backcloth against structures and fencing . The leaves are vertical with sharp points along the margins ; wear protective clothing and glove when working around the plant . Plant banana tree yucca in a full sun , ironical location in the garden .
Spanish bayonet , Spanish yucca
