Sunflower (plant) > Reviews (6)

Spring must be on its way as my seeds have arrived!!

One of the annuals I always grow are Sunflowers (Helianthus). Once upon a time there was only one variety – come on now you all know what I’m talking about, those great big tall yellow flowers the size of dinner plates, which grew half way up the side of the house when you were a kid. Well now there are lots more varieties that vary in size from around 12 inches tall to those giants of 13 feet or more. Also there are those that bear multi heads and are ideal for cutting and now there are lots of variations in colour, ranging from that bright yellow down to an almost rusty red.

The variety I am growing this year is the Tall Single again – I have missed having these giants in the garden over the past few years, although I have thoroughly enjoyed the other varieties I have grown.

So, how do you go about growing them then?

Well to begin with just drop into your local garden centre or even somewhere like Wilkinsons or a supermarket and

pick up a packet for around £1.50 to £2. Each pack should contain more than enough seeds for you to produce far too many plants for you to know what to do with. Then it is as simple as following the instructions on the back.

Basically, you can either sow them directly into the soil where they are to grow, placing them about 2cm down in finely raked, moist, warm soil in April or May, or do as I do and plant them 2 or 3 together in 3” pots of compost to rear a little earlier in the greenhouse. Growing them in the greenhouse until they are around 6 inches tall also means I can avoid the dreaded snails. They are very partial to sunflower seedlings and if you are not careful will demolish the whole lot in one night. The seeds will only take a week or so to start to germinate so keep your eye on them.

I would recommend sowing 2 or 3 together and then as the seedlings develop thin out the weaker ones and you can even gently transplant stronger ones elsewhere if things get a little crowded. The plants want to be around 2 feet apart to grow to maturity. Now, Sunflower seeds are notoriously easy to grow so make sure you have plenty of friends and neighbours who may be willing to take a few off your hands! I often take my excess to my daughter’s primary school as I think all children just love these plants.

As the plants grow you will need to stake them very strongly, as they will grow very tall – the tallest we have had was measured using my youngest and it came to 3 and a bit Elizabeths! Ok around 11 feet!!! Now, another problem you may have is that the height of your canes may not be enough – I have to lash 2 of mine together usually to cope with the height! Also, I would recommend using at least 2 stakes per plant as strong winds in the autumn can decimate your show. As the plants grow the thickness of the stem increases (to maybe 2” plus in diameter) and you may need to redo your lower ties to accommodate the thickening stem or you will find your ties will cut into it and cause damage.

These wonderful plate sized yellow flowers with great big brown centres will bloom from July through to September providing you give them copious amounts of water and a little tomato feed to keep their strength up as the weeks go by. As their display fades in September please don’t be tempted to take them quickly down. Leave them alone and let the seeds form in those big flower heads – the birds will absolutely love you for it! Also, the bees love these flowers and you will have a constant humming in your garden during the summer months – wonderful!

Don’t be put off if you only have a small garden as I have successfully grown even these giants in planters and although they may not grow quiet as tall as those in the garden soil the display is just as good. Or remember you can choose one of the more compact varieties.

I think it should be compulsory for every garden to grow at least one of these in the summer because they make me happy just to look at them!