Flowers · Seeds
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
A fast annual with a thick stem and a large yellow flower, followed by a seed disc. Tall forms need a stake and a sunny, sheltered bed.
Growing conditions
Soilclay, loam
Moisturemoist, well-drained
pHneutral
Position
SunFull sun
Aspecteast, south, west
Exposuresheltered
HardinessH2
Size
Time to maturityFlowers about 10–14 weeks from sowing
Max height1.5–2.5 m
Max spread0.4–0.5 m
In the garden
Sow indoors in mid-spring or direct in late spring once the soil has warmed. Water while the stem is extending. Birds will take the seed unless you net the heads.
Slugs demolish seedlings. Aphids crowd the growing tip.
Colour and scent
A mark in a season means the plant is doing that for at least part of it.
| Season | Foliage | Flower | Scent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | — | — | — |
| Summer | Leaves | yellow | — |
| Autumn | Leaves | yellow | — |
| Winter | — | — | — |
- JanDormant
- FebDormant
- MarDormant
- AprDormant
- MayDormant
- JunFoliage
- Julyellow
- Augyellow
- Sepyellow
- OctDormant
- NovDormant
- DecDormant
Jobs
These dates suit a mild southern garden. A northern or Scottish plan shifts spring and autumn jobs by a fortnight.
20 April
Sow indoors
Sow sunflowers singly in pots so the roots are not disturbed at planting.
28 May
Plant out and stake
Plant after frost and put the stake in at the same time. Water in dry weather.
20 September
Save or feed seed
Cut heads as the seeds plump, or leave them for the birds.