Mexican Sunflowers

Six or eight months ago I fell in love with the tall shrub I think of as Mexican Sunflowers (can't confirm if that's actually right), which was growing in the little park next door to my house. I took a few clippings, and carefully dusted them with Rootone, babied them and tried to root them indoors; but they all gave up the ghost and died.

Then a while back, my backyard neighbor took cuttings of the same plants and simply stuck them in the ground along our mutual fence line, and kept them well watered. They are thriving and are already 6-8' tall; and I think it's hilarious that they didn't want to be babied at all! Now they are coming into full bloom; and I love looking out the back window and seeing these happy, cheerful flowers!

I even clipped a few and brought them indoors to enjoy, along with a few Mexican Petunias (what's up with all the Mexican plants?)