I bet you’re a fan of sunflowers. Am I right?
These large and cheerful flowers, with their warm and vibrant colors, enchant thousands of people around the world, making them one of the most cultivated plants!
If you are a lover of flowers and gardens, you have certainly considered growing sunflowers at some point. These beautiful yellow flowers are known for their majesty and imposing presence. However, they are not always as easy to grow as we might think. One of the most common mistakes is choosing the wrong variety. Buying seeds of common sunflower, the kind sold for snacks or bird feed, might not be the best choice.
The common sunflower will grow tall and have huge flowers that, when pollinated, will droop. They are beautiful, but their flowering doesn’t last long and might not be the best option for your garden.
However, did you know that there are different types of sunflowers?
In addition to cut flowers for making beautiful arrangements, there are types of sunflowers suitable for gardens, and others for grain production. In this article, we will explore 10 fascinating types of sunflowers that you can add to your garden without fear of making a mistake. These are species and cultivars readily available, at specialized seed companies and rare seed providers. Get ready to discover a dazzling variety of colors, shapes, and sizes as we dive into the enchanting world of sunflowers.
Are you ready?
1. Double Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Florepleno’)
The Double Sunflower is a true ray of annual sunshine that grows quickly and has heart-shaped leaves. During the summer, it releases large, fully double flowers, which can reach an impressive 4.7 inches (12 cm) in diameter, resembling adorable golden pom-poms. These inflorescences are like invitations for bees, butterflies, and birds to celebrate.
Easy to grow, it’s a radiant star in the middle of a sunny flowerbed or in a pot and doesn’t mind showing off at all. Furthermore, this Double Sunflower, so special, is also a sensational choice for creating enchanting bouquets that will brighten up any space! You can find seeds available on the Isla Sementes website.
2. Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
The Beach Sunflower, botanically named Helianthus debilis, is a cheerful addition to landscaping. Its small flowers, similar to mini sunflowers, bloom from spring to fall. With their yellow rays and brown-toned centers, they attract bees, butterflies, and birds, making it a highlight for wildlife.
This plant is an excellent choice for ground cover, forming clumps and borders, as well as cascading down slopes and pot arrangements. Additionally, florists appreciate its cut flowers, making it versatile for both garden use and delightful floral arrangements. And why not both options?
3. Showy Sunflower (Helianthus laetiflorus)
The Showy Sunflower, known botanically as Helianthus pauciflorus or H. laetiflorus, is a true jewel in the garden. This perennial plant displays rigid, hairy vertical stems that rise majestically in the garden. Its leaves of a gray-green hue are lanceolate to oval, adding a touch of elegance to its appearance.
But the absolute highlight is its stunning bright yellow flowers, which adorn the garden with a profusion of color and liveliness. These dazzling flowers, like little suns, light up the scene from spring to fall. It is an exceptional choice for large perennial gardens and wildflower fields, where its vibrant colors can truly shine. However, it is important to note that this type of sunflower needs space to spread and is therefore not suitable for small gardens, where it can look disproportionate.
4. Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia)
The Mexican sunflower is one of the tallest and most impressive varieties. Its flowers attract butterflies and birds, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to create a wildlife-friendly environment. Originating from Mexico, this semi-herbaceous shrub plant displays an impressive height of 4.9 to 8.2 feet (1.5 to 2.5 meters), with pubescent leaves that add a unique texture to its appearance.
Its inflorescences feature eye-catching yellow flowers, similar to traditional sunflowers, forming large solitary heads that bloom during the autumn and winter. This plant is an ideal choice for landscaping large areas due to its beauty and grandeur, becoming a charming focal point in sunny and fertile gardens. Its stunning flowers and large stature attract admiring glances and add a tropical touch to any garden.
5. Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
In addition to its stunning flowers, the Jerusalem artichoke is also valued for its edible roots, known as Jerusalem artichokes. It is a vigorous annual plant that can reach up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) in height. Moreover, it loosens the soil and suppresses invasive plants by shading, making it a valuable choice for the gardener. The Jerusalem artichoke is also a versatile option in cooking, able to be eaten raw with a texture similar to carrots, or cooked/baked for a creamy and flavorful texture.
It is a source of inulin, beneficial for diabetics, and acts as a prebiotic, strengthening the immune system by feeding the beneficial intestinal flora. Its ease of cultivation and regrowth capability make it a practical choice for the garden, providing benefits both for the soil and human well-being. Try growing Jerusalem artichokes and enjoy their many benefits for soil improvement, health, and culinary versatility. You can enjoy both its beauty and culinary benefits.
6. Dwarf Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Sun Gold’ Dwarf)
If you have limited space in your garden, the Dwarf Sunflower is the perfect choice. This compact variety still offers the charm of sunflowers, but at a smaller stature. The Dwarf Sunflower is a fast-growing annual plant, with elongated leaves and breathtaking bright flowers. Its flower heads are also attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. Easy to grow in flower beds, as borders, or in pots, this sunflower, like others, loves sunny places.
Grow it in a fertile potting mix and don’t let it go dry. And get ready… if well cared for, it will produce hundreds of seeds for the next planting in each of its flowers.
7. Tall Yellow Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Sunbright’)
The Tall Yellow Sunflower is a classic. Its bright petals stand out in any garden, providing a radiant and cheerful look. The Tall Yellow Sunflower ‘Sunbright’ is a cultivar that does not produce pollen, making it particularly durable as an ornamental element.
Its sensitivity to photoperiod and later growing cycle make it an excellent choice for cultivation during Autumn and Winter. Depending on the region, it can be planted throughout the year, offering a versatile option for gardeners and sunflower enthusiasts.
8. Evening Sun Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Evening Sun’)
To create a cozy atmosphere in your garden at night, the Evening Sun Sunflower is the right choice. Its warm and radiant colors add a touch of magic to dusk. It is a fast-growing annual sunflower that is very eye-catching. It has oblong to lanceolate leaves and flowers that resemble a bright sunset.
From summer to fall, this plant produces a profusion of large flowers, which can reach 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) in diameter. How about adding a bit of variation to the warm colors of your sunflowers with this addition to the garden?
9. Red Sun Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Red Sun’)
If you are looking for elegance and drama, the Red Sun Sunflower is the perfect choice. This sunflower is an annual, branched cultivar that produces vibrant red petals, highlighted by a dark brown center. Each plant will reach a height of approximately 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) and will produce flowers 4.7 to 5.9 inches (12 to 15 cm) in diameter. The Red Sun Sunflower displays up to 10 stunning flowers per plant and will attract a variety of pollinators to the garden, including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
When the cooler temperatures of late fall arrive, your sunflowers will begin to wilt. Before the first frost, you can harvest the seeds from your plants to replant them next spring. However, be cautious, as many birds will also be after them. The Red Sun Sunflowers are also excellent as cut flowers for bouquets and floral arrangements.
10. Autumn Beauty Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Autumn Beauty’)
The Autumn Beauty Sunflower is a stunning addition to your garden. These tall plants, which can reach up to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) in height, are literally covered in 5.1 inch (13 cm) diameter flowers. Some specimens may produce twenty flowers or more on a single plant. The Autumn Beauty Sunflower’s flowers feature solid or bicolor hues that mirror the palette of fallen leaves, with shades ranging from golden to bronze, red, sepia, and yellow. This variety is especially stunning when planted in long rows, creating a hedge-like effect, or along a driveway, where its vibrant colors will captivate everyone’s attention.
If you are seeking beauty and stunning colors in your garden, the Autumn Beauty Sunflower is the perfect choice. Its multicolored flowers celebrate the fall season and provide a visual spectacle that will delight everyone who beholds it.
Start planning your garden with the Autumn Beauty Sunflower and let this wonderful flower brighten your outdoor space. It’s easy to grow and ensures a stunning landscape!
The Autumn-Beauty Sunflower finishes our list on a high note. Its multicolored flowers celebrate the beauty of autumn and offer a visual spectacle you won’t want to miss.
Sunflowers provide a multitude of options to brighten your garden. Regardless of the type of sunflower you choose, they are among the easiest plants to grow from seeds. They do not take long to germinate, require little to no maintenance, and are not very demanding regarding soil conditions. Just sow directly in the garden in late spring or early summer, allowing the roots to grow undisturbed. In other words, there’s no need for a seedbed: the Sunflower prefers to be sown in its final location.
Grow sunflowers by leveraging their height, along borders and fences, or in flowerbeds as a background plant. Use the dwarf varieties in pots and for forming flowerbeds and mass plantings, taking the more frontal plans. Enjoy the flower season to make lasting and stunning arrangements with the flowers picked from your own garden.
With these 10 different types at your disposal, you can create a diversified and spectacular flowerbed that will delight all who visit it. No matter which type you choose, sunflowers guarantee beauty and joy in your outdoor space. Start planning your sunflower garden today and let this wonderful flower illuminate your days!
