7 Sunflowers We Love
Dazzling blooms and surprising hues give sunflowers real flower power. Try one—or more!—of these towering, sun-loving annuals to boost the fun factor in your Midwest garden.
Sunflower growing tips
• Plant in full sun. The sunflower name refers to more than appearance. The genus name, Helianthus, comes from the Greek helios (sun) and anthos (flower). Appropriately, sunflowers give the best show with six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
• Give tall varieties space. Plant five to six seeds 1 inch deep and water the soil. Seedlings will appear in five to 10 days. When they get to be about 3 inches tall, thin them down to the three healthiest. After they reach 2 feet, thin them down to one.
• Keep them fed. Sunflowers deplete soil rapidly, so replenish nutrients each season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or organic matter.
• Set the scene. Plant sunflowers with other fast-growing, sun-loving annuals and biannuals such as castor bean (with coordinating big foliage), hollyhocks (complementary heights) and zinnias (in a matching color). Plant morning glories that scramble up the stems. Or plant a single row along a tall fence and wait for their faces to peek over, watching for another summer sunrise.
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