The sunflower is one of the nation’s best-loved flowers. Although most sunflower varieties have yellow flowers, you can grow varieties with rusty red, green and even white flowers.
Annual sunflowers bloom from summer to autumn. Depending on the variety, they take 11-18 weeks to flower from seed. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to sow sunflower seed every couple of weeks, so you’ll have a constant supply of cheerful blooms throughout summer.
Sunflowers are easy to grow from seed and are ideal for growing with children.They can grow to heights of up to 2m, bear impressive, long-lasting flowers, and look fantastic in gardens and allotments. They make an excellent cut flower.
Did you know? Sunflowers are related to Jerusalem artichokes, Helianthus tuberosus. If you plant Jerusalem artichokes and let them flower, they will bear beautiful, sunflower-like blooms.
How to grow sunflowersGrowing sunflowers from seed is easy, you just need a sunny, sheltered spot and good soil – add plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost before planting to enrich your soil, if you can. Protect the young plants from slugs and snails and water regularly. You may also need to stake them if they’re in an exposed position.
Choose your variety carefully as dwarf sunflowers grow to just 50cm, while taller varieties reach up to 3m in height. Sow seeds in pots from April and plant out when all risk of frost has passed. Water frequently and if growing for height – feed weekly with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser to encourage them to grow tall. You may need to stake some of the taller varieties.
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