All About Sunflowers

close up of sunflowersclose up of sunflowers

Sunflowers are Native American plants with an international history.

Native Americans grew and selected sunflower varieties for flour, food, and oil. The Spanish brought this new-world plant to Europe in the 1500s and by the 1700s and 1800s the Russians were growing them in large quantities. It eventually made its way back to North America in the form of Russian varieties that we still grow today, such as 'Mammoth Russian'. Canadian and American farmers now grow sunflowers primarily for oil production, but plant hybridizers also started creating attractive varieties for the garden as well.

Today, there are many versions of the sunflower, some looking very different from the original tall, one-headed annual plant.

Breeders have shrunk varieties to be smaller, and bred them to have colorful, multiple heads per plant. The result is a garden flower that shines throughout the summer and fall. Some newer varieties to try include 'Velvet Queen' with its 6 foot-tall stalk and deep-mahogany colored flowers, 'Autumn Beauty' with its 5 foot-tall plants and a mix of yellow, orange and red flowers, 'Moonshine' with it unique pale-yellow flowers on a 6 foot-tall plant, 'Yellow Spray' that grows only 1 to 2 feet tall and 'Sungold' with its 3 foot-tall plant and fuzzy, yellow blooms. For cut-flower arrangements, try pollenless varieties such as 'Sunrich', to reduce the yellow pollen indoors.

Sunflowers in the Modern Garden

While we mostly know sunflowers as annuals, there are perennial varieties as well. These types are good for the flower garden because they consistently come back each year, providing bright, cheery flowers with less work. Most are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. One of the most popular perennial sunflowers is 'Maximillian'. This sunflower grows up to 8 feet tall, depending on the soil and water conditions, producing small, yellow sunflowers from late summer until frost.

Helianthus sunflowerHelianthus sunflower

Swamp sunflowers grow 6 feet tall and are tolerant of salt spray and poor-soil conditions. This is a good one for coastal areas. Another type of sunflower is the Mexican sunflower or Tithonia. This bushy perennial is only hardy in warm areas, so it's mostly grown as an annual. It produces a 4 to 6 ft tall bushy plant with small orange sunflower-shaped flowers in late summer. There are also varieties, such as 'Red Torch', with red-colored flowers. It's another good cutting-flower type sunflower.

Sunflowers are not only great additions to a flower and vegetable garden for their food and beauty, they are essential habitat plants for pollinators as well.

monarch on sunflowermonarch on sunflower
Monarchs and other butterflies often visit Sunflowers.
honey bee on sunflowerhoney bee on sunflower
Honeybees rely on native Sunflowers for pollen.
bird eating sunflower seedbird eating sunflower seed
Plant plenty of Sunflowers to feed the birds!

Butterflies, beneficial insects, hummingbirds and birds flock to sunflower heads for food, pollen and nectar. Mexican sunflowers are particularly good at attracting Monarch butterflies as they migrate through the country. Butterflies and insects enjoy the flower pollen and nectar while birds feast on the seeds. If growing sunflowers for wildlife, remember not to grow pollen-less varieties. Plant tall varieties along a fence to block an unsightly view, or try them in the back of the flower border or along the side of the house or garage.

Mix and match sunflower plants in the garden with other annual and perennial flowers. Plant tall varieties along a fence to block an unsightly view, or try them in the back of the flower border or along the side of the house or garage.

sunflowers next to wooden fencesunflowers next to wooden fence

Mix tall perennials, such as hollyhocks, in with your sunflower plants for added color. Plant medium-tall sunflowers near perennials such as phlox and echincaea. Plant dwarf varieties in the front of a flower garden or even in containers. Create a cutting garden with sunflowers specifically to be cut and brought indoors. Cut sunflowers for flower arrangements in the morning, once the petals are evident, but before they fully open.

  1. Sunflower Seeds Mammoth Grey Stripe, Helianthus

    Talk about making a statement in the garden! Mammoth Grey Stripes huge blooms, growing to be 12 across, sit atop stems that grow to be 8-12 tall. Extremely fun to watch grow, Mammoth...

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    Sunflower Seeds Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower Mammoth Grey Stripe Helianthus annuus Mammoth Grey Stripe
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    Talk about making a statement in the garden! Mammoth Grey Stripes huge blooms, growing to be 12 across, sit atop stems that grow to be 8-12 tall. Extremely fun to watch grow, Mammoth Grey Stripes' large size make them a great choice for scattering throughout the meadow, using as a background or privacy screen, and creating a childs first garden. Massive seed heads are good for harvesting and roasting or leaving in place to feed birds. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.
  2. Sunflower Seed Mix

    The perfect choice for any Sunflower lover, this mixture contains five different varieties for a blaze of bright, sunny beauty in the summer garden or meadow. We’ve included fi...

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    Sunflower Seed Mix Sunflower Helianthus annuus
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    Per 1/4 Pound
    The perfect choice for any Sunflower lover, this mixture contains five different varieties for a blaze of bright, sunny beauty in the summer garden or meadow. We’ve included five popular sunflowers: Black Oil, Lemon Queen, Dwarf Sunspot, Dwarf Sungold and Wild Sunflower. All are sturdy-stemmed and long-blooming, standing tall in the garden throughout the season and atttacting plentiful pollinators. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.
  3. Yellow Sunflower Seeds Henry Wilde, Helianthus annuus

    A pollinator favorite, this classic, heirloom Sunflower will bring butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to and from the summer garden. With large, yellow petals and dark centers, Henry...

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    Sunflower Seeds Henry Wilde Sunflower Henry Wilde Helianthus annuus Henry Wilde
    As low as $10.95
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    A pollinator favorite, this classic, heirloom Sunflower will bring butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to and from the summer garden. With large, yellow petals and dark centers, Henry Wilde makes a stunning cut flower and looks gorgeous planted along fences or in the background of the garden. Growing to be about 5-6 tall, make sure to give this beauty plenty of room!
  4. Yellow Wild Sunflower Seeds, Helianthus annuus

    This native sunflower is the grandfather species of them all and is a true staple of any wildflower garden. Bright, cheerful flowers are only 3-4” across and this variety grows...

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    Wild Sunflower Seeds Wild Sunflower Helianthus annuus
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    Per 1/4 Pound
    This native sunflower is the grandfather species of them all and is a true staple of any wildflower garden. Bright, cheerful flowers are only 3-4” across and this variety grows to be 24-72” tall. Wild Sunflowers are extremely easy to grow and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden all season long. This native beauty is also the state flower of Kansas! All of the seed we handle at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.
  5. Sunflower Seeds Chocolate Cherry, Helianthus annuus Chocolate Cherry close up with black-cherry petals

    Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers feature black-cherry petals surrounding a deep brown center. These striking blooms, measuring up to 5” across, glow red in the sunlight. Plant to ad...

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    Sunflower Seeds Chocolate Cherry Chocolate Cherry Sunflower Helianthus annuus Chocolate Cherry
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    Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers feature black-cherry petals surrounding a deep brown center. These striking blooms, measuring up to 5” across, glow red in the sunlight. Plant to add a rich, moody hue to your garden and cut flower arrangements in summer and fall. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Helianthus)
  6. Yellow Maximilian Sunflower Seeds, Helianthus maximiliani

    Maximilian gives you the iconic look of Sunflowers but continues to bloom year after year. Illuminating the garden with golden-yellow blooms from summer into fall, and reaching up to...

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    Maximilian Sunflower Seeds Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
    As low as $19.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Maximilian gives you the iconic look of Sunflowers but continues to bloom year after year. Illuminating the garden with golden-yellow blooms from summer into fall, and reaching up to 10 ft tall, this perennial sunflower will quickly become the true backbone of your wildflower meadow or garden. Like all Sunflowers, Maximilian is easy to grow and attracts birds, butterflies and other pollinators all season long. All of the seed we handle at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Perennial.
  7. Sunflower Seeds Bright Star Orange, Helianthus annus Bright Star Orange

    Add some star power to your garden or meadow with Bright Star Sunflowers. Pointed petals surround soft ochre-brown centers, for an attractive and elegant flower that looks beautiful ...

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    Sunflower Seeds Bright Star Orange Sunflower Seeds Bright Star Orange Helianthus annuus Bright Star Orange
    As low as $19.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Add some star power to your garden or meadow with Bright Star Sunflowers. Pointed petals surround soft ochre-brown centers, for an attractive and elegant flower that looks beautiful planted en masse or to complement a mix of other sunflowers. With their radiant petals, these blooms reach up to 11 inches wide, on tall sturdy plants up to 6 feet tall. Sunflowers attract bees and butterflies, and seeds will feed the birds. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Helianthus annuus)
  8. Sunflower Seeds Autumn Beauty, Helianthus

    Autumn Beauty Sunflower steals the show in the late-season garden with a mixture of warm oranges, reds and yellows. This variety is easy to grow and flowers from late summer all the ...

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    Sunflower Seeds Autumn Beauty Sunflower Autumn Beauty Helianthus annuus Autumn Beauty
    As low as $12.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Autumn Beauty Sunflower steals the show in the late-season garden with a mixture of warm oranges, reds and yellows. This variety is easy to grow and flowers from late summer all the way into fall, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to its nectar-rich blooms. With sturdy stems and striking petal colors, Autumn Beauty is exceptional in bouquets and makes a great addition to the cutting garden. Can be grown in any zone. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.

Designing with Sunflowers

For kids, create a 'sunflower house'. Mark out a circle in a full sun location with a 3 to 4 ft-wide diameter in the middle. Till and amend a strip of ground around the circle with compost. Leave a 2 to 3 ft-wide opening unplanted for the door. Choose tall varieties that will create a sizable 'roof'. In spring, help your kids plant the circle with their favorite varieties. Keep them well-watered and then let the sunflowers grow together without thinning. Once they form heads, gently tie the tops of the sunflower stalks together to form the roof. Leave the grass as-is, or place cardboard for the 'floor'. Let the kids bring toys and other fun objects into their fun summer home!

You can also use sunflowers instead of corn in a Native American 'Three Sister's Garden'. Plant pole beans to grow up the clump of 3-week old sunflower stalks, and plant winter squash and pumpkins around the base of the clump 3 weeks after the beans. The beans will clinb up the flowers and the low-growing squash will shade out weeds and prevent the soil from drying out.

Sunflower seeds are popular for eating and birds love them, too. When growing sunflowers for the seeds, once the petals fade, protect the flower heads by placing paper bags over them. This will prevent the birds from getting the maturing seeds. Once you can run your hand over the seed heads and the seeds easily drop out, harvest the sunflower head and let it finish maturing in a protected shed or garage.

There is also another way to eat sunflowers: grow a multiple-headed variety! Once the flower buds form, but before they start opening to show color, harvest the flower bud just below the blossom. Steam it like a glove artichoke and dip it in butter. You'll be amazed at the sunflower/artichoke-like flavor!


About the Author: Charlie Nardozzi is a nationally recognized garden speaker, author, consultant, radio and TV show host. He delights in making gardening information simple, easy, fun and accessible to everyone. Visit his website, GardeningwithCharlie.com for how-to gardening information, and for more about Charlie.

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