Sunflowers

Proud and bold, there seems to be no other annual flower which can compare to the iconic status of sunflowers. In name and nature they capture the colour and essence of summer.

Gardening with Sunflowers

With their abundant blooms and tough character, sunflowers are a multi-purpose summer annual. Often grown for their quick dramatic architecture, these striking blooms bring excitment within a season, and make a cheery cut flower which are perfect to share with friends and family. Sunflowers are beloved by families as they grow at a rapid rate, quickly towering over children. 'Giant Russian' is one sunflower variety that has often been utilised for growing competitions in school kitchen gardens and world record attempts. Despite their large stature, this is one of the fastest growing annual flowers, reaching a staggering height within 60 days of sowing, making it the perfect decorative solution for both screening and colour. Single sunflowers can appear to be a bit lost in a garden and can find themselves a bit top heavy as often the stems are unable to support the weight of the flower. Conversely, when grown as a group, these plants can assist in supporting their neighbours. Strength in numbers as they say.

Benefits Beyond Beauty

Sunflowers have the added ecological benefit of being favoured by bees and other pollinators. All varieties have spectacular flowers and the seeds can be easily saved for next season, eaten as a roasted snack, or fed to happy chickens. The 'Giant Russian' sunflower is the most productive variety for sunflower seeds and their massive flowers heads are bigger than a dining plate. 

Choosing a Sunflower Variety

Sunflowers are generally classified into two groups depending on the number of blooms they will produce in a season. Single-headed or branched sunflowers are typically quite a large plant and will produce one substantial hero flower. Single-headed sunflowers are recognised by their height and straight thick stems. Multi-headed or branched sunflowers are the best variety for a long flowering season with multiple blooms. Multi-headed varieties will continue to flower throughout the season as flowers are cut or deadheaded. Though the blooms are smaller on multi-headed varieties, they flower throughout a longer season and are favoured by gardeners.