Sunflowers are easy to grow and look absolutley stunning in the garden. Grown at the back of borders, sunflowers can give height to your garden, especially if they are the tall variety.
Did you know..... Sunflowers can grow to over 25ft, and are often shown at flower shows. The tallest sunflower plant on record to date is 7.76 metres tall!
Step by step guide to growing your own sunflowers
How to prepare your site for planting sunflowers
Sunflowers like to be grown in an open, sunny position and prefer a well drained, fertile soil.
When to plant sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are best planted outdoors between March and May, in a sunny position.
How to plant sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are best sown directly into the ground in a prepared seedbed, in their flowering position. Sow 2-3 seeds together, leaving 45cm (18 inches) between each group. Cover seeds with about half an inch of fine soil. Firm the top soil gently and keep moist. Seedlings will appear in 2-3 weeks.
Routine care of Sunflowers
When seedlings are large enough to handle, remove the weakest ones from each set of 3 planted, these seedlings can be transplanted elsewhere in the garden. Keep the plants moist and weed free. As they plant grows, they will need a support, especially when the head starts to develop. Sunflowers are at their best between June and September, when they show off their glorious bright yellow faces.
After the flowers have died, the head will go to seed, and these can either be left on the plant to feed the birds during autumn, or they can be collected for sowing the following year. Sunflowers are classed as an edible plant, as their seeds can be used for human conusmption, and are eaten on a regular basis as a snack and can also be used in cooking.
Did you know..... The Jerusalem artichoke is related to the sunflower. The Helianthos tuberosa (Jerusalem artichoke) is classed as a perennial sunflower!
Recommended varieties of Sunflowers
Evening Sun : A hardy annual that grows upto 6ft (1.8m) in height. The flowers are a lovely shade of reds to golds, which resemble a setting sun.
The American Giant : A tall sunflower that stands upto 16ft tall and offers a massive, single headed flower. Flower diameter can be upto 20 inches.
Strawberry Blonde Hybrid : The first rose-pink coloured sunflower! A beautiful example of an new hybrid that offers beautiful creamy-rose coloured flowers. |
Growing Sunflowers... (Helianthus annus) 
