{"id":26995,"date":"2024-01-10T16:23:49","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T16:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moowy.co.uk\/?p=26995"},"modified":"2024-01-22T13:19:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T13:19:03","slug":"planting-sunflowers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moowy.co.uk\/planting-sunflowers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plant, Grow and Care for Sunflowers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you gaze longingly at other people’s front gardens, admiring those tall, majestic sunflower blooms? Well, luckily, sunflowers are one of the easiest plants to grow and look after, offering plenty of bang for your buck. <\/em><\/p>

Indeed, sunflowers are a delightful and easy-grow plant that enhances the appeal of your garden while attracting wildlife. <\/p>

This comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to cultivate, nurture, and preserve your sunflower plants successfully.<\/p>

Ready? Let\u2019s get started!<\/em><\/p>

Understanding sunflowers<\/h2>
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Sunflowers, scientifically known as Helianthus annuus, are annual plants widely recognised for their large, radiant, daisy-like flower heads. They originate from the Greek words helios (sun) and anthos (flower) owing to their sun-following nature. This is because sunflowers exhibit heliotropism<\/strong>, a phenomenon where the plant\u2019s flowers track the sun’s movement from east to west, returning at night to face the east, ready for the morning sun.<\/p>

We’re all familiar with the classic, sunny yellow bloom, but the flowers actually come in a multitude of colours, including yellow, red, orange, maroon, and brown. <\/p>

However, the classic golden-yellow with brown centres is the most common. These brown centres mature into heavy heads filled with seeds, making them a favourite among birds and gardeners alike.<\/p>

Choosing the right sunflower variety<\/h2>
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With over seventy varieties, sunflowers come in various sizes, from miniature bloomers that are barely 50cm (20in) tall to giant varieties towering over 3m (10ft). <\/p>

So, depending on your garden’s size and your aesthetic preference, you can choose from an extensive range of sunflower varieties.<\/p>

Additionally, sunflowers make excellent companion plants for your vegetable patch, attracting slugs, snails, and other hungry flying pests away from your crops. The high sugar content of the stalk is particularly attractive, and the pests won\u2019t do as much damage to your sunflowers as they would to your courgettes!<\/p>

Giant sunflowers<\/h3>

If you’re aiming for a towering spectacle, giant sunflowers like the ‘Russian Giant’ are an excellent choice. These can grow as tall as 3m (10ft) and sport bright golden-yellow flowers.<\/p>

Tall sunflowers<\/h3>

Varieties like ‘Velvet Queen,’ ‘Earth Walker,’ ‘Red Sun,’ and ‘Valentine’ grow up to 1.8m (6ft) tall and offer a variety of colours, including deep red, bronze, orange, and yellow.<\/p>

Dwarf sunflowers<\/h3>
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If your space is limited, dwarf sunflowers like ‘Teddy Bear’ and ‘Dwarf Yellow Spray’ are a perfect choice. These bushy plants grow up to 60cm (2ft) tall and are ideal for containers or small gardens.<\/p>

Preparing for planting sunflower seeds<\/h2>

Sunflowers are among the easiest of all flowers to cultivate from seed, but before you start sowing, there are a few things to gather:<\/p>