The Flower Journal: Sunflowers
Here at The Flower Journal we take a look at a new flower every week. This week we are learning about Sunflowers.
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Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Sunflowers are a classic when bordering the garden, planted en masse, or in a bunch on the dining table. They can come as huge towering plants with one flower - some can reach over 12 Feet, others are compact small bunching varieties with multiple flower heads. How could you not smile with these beauties flowering around you.
Did you know that Sunflowers follow the sun? Sunflowers exhibit a unique behavior known as heliotropism, where young sunflower heads track the movement of the sun across the sky from east to west. However, once they reach maturity, sunflowers will typically face eastward, providing stability and warmth for pollinators in the morning.
Sunflower seeds are a popular snack and also a nutritious food source rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They can be eaten raw, roasted, or used in cooking and baking, adding a delicious nutty flavor and crunchy texture to dishes.
Sunflowers have ecological benefits too as they play a crucial role in ecosystems attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds with their nectar-rich blooms. Additionally, sunflower heads provide a food source for birds and small mammals, while their extensive root systems help improve soil health and prevent erosion.
Sunflowers come in more than just golden yellow. Different varieties come in a wide range of colours including cream, chocolate brown, orange, red and mahogany.
Floriography is also known as the secret language of flowers. You can learn more about floriography here.
Ambition, Constancy, Healing, Loyalty, Opportunity, Vitality, Wealth, Warmth
Plant Type: Annual
Position: Full Sun
Sow in: Spring - early Summer
Height: 40cm to 3.5m depending on the variety
Spacing: 30cm
Days to Germination: Approx 7 - 21 days
Days to Flower: Approx 55 days
Sunflowers can be cut just as they are beginning to open, before they have opened off of the face of the sunflower completely. Cut stems on a slight angle (about 45deg) and strip the sunflower stems of all leaves, except those closest to the head. Ornamental sunflowers have been bred to not have pollen, keep in mind that regular sunflower varieties will drop their pollen and can make a mess on your table. Vase life is 6 - 12 days.
Disclaimer
The growing guide is just that, a guide, and is meant to be taken as general information. This guide should work in a temperate climate but nothing is certain - especially with climate change altering our wet and dry seasons. This is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know your garden. What’s your climate? How much direct sunlight does your garden get? Do you get a lot of rain or are you currently in a drought? Are you growing in containers or in the ground? What is your soil quality like?
You can chart your garden and test your soil, educate yourself on what makes a healthy garden, or just experiment and throw some seeds in then tweak as you go. It’s completely up to you.Please be sure to check that this plant variety isn’t considered a weed in your local area before you sow any seeds.
I’ve done my best to make sure this information is correct and up to date by cross checking multiple sources. If you feel that something is not quite right or you’ve found something to work really well in your home or garden - please let us know about it in the comments.
I’m in Australia!
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And lastly, do you know something else interesting about this flower? Have an interesting use for it? Or do you grow it in your garden? Please let us know about it in the comments below.
This was lovely! Sunflowers always put a smile on my face. ☀️