I would like to plant some Mexican sunflowers in my yard, I live in Charlotte, NC, is it to late? And what are some other flowers I could plant that aren't hard to care for. I will be putting these flowers across the front of my house which goes from my front porch and ends in front of my bedroom. At my porch I have annuals already plant.

thowell92!! I'll let someone more familiar with your climate answer your questions.

Welcome to ATP!

I would plant them. They are annuals that like the heat and have plenty of time left this season to grow and bloom. Seeds are easy and inexpensive. You really have nothing to loose by trying them now.

@thowell92 -- Welcome to All Things Plants!

I agree with going ahead and planting them, I think you'll have plenty of time where you are. Regular marigolds are also easy and low maintenance, zinnias and nasturtiums also start readily from seed. If you have shade, impatiens and coleus are favorites of mine. And wax begonias.

Happy gardening!

You'll get a better germination rate if you start with pots of seed starting mix, if you do start seeds. Sowing seeds directly in the bed is more risky, considering weather variations, wind, bugs, birds and other hazards seeds and small seedlings must survive.

If you can find somebody with some Mex. sunflowers already up and going, they start really well from cuttings too. That might give you a head start. Just root the cuttings in water, or some perlite and water, then when you see new growth starting, plant them out like regular transplants.