Tall willowy stems produce clusters of flowers with dark red petals and a bright yellow corona from late spring through to the first frost of fall. The flowers attract nectar feeding pollinators while the leaves are food for monarch butterfly larvae. Plant in full sun, moderately fertile soil and water to get the root system established. Unfortunately this native of southern Mexico and Central America is not root hardy in the Chicago area. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and is poisonous if ingested. Ingestion is unlikely because a different compound in the sap produces a gag reflex.