Finally we planted many varieties of five flower groups in Sunset's test garden in Menlo Park, California. As they grew, we studied their backgrounds, noting that all of them hail from hot climates. Cosmos originated in tropical America. The marigold family, despite French and African names, is entirely American, found from New Mexico and Arizona south to Argentina. Summer mums are native to Morocco and have naturalized in sand dunes along Southern California's coast.
Sunflowers grow wild from Minnesota to the Pacific Coast and south to Argentina.
Together, these groups make up a colorful and sunny brotherhood. By early summer, there was an abundance of blooms that we enjoyed as much in bouquets as in the garden. Our vases were always full. And those electric colors did more than caffeine to jump-start our days. April is a splendid time to plant them all.