Photo credits and licenses
Real photographs from naturalists and photographers worldwide, each used under its own license. Credit: Photo by Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋） / iNaturalist (CC BY) and Photo by Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋） / iNaturalist (CC BY). How photos are sourced →
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Sunflower blooms from July through September.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Sunflower
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. Expect it to reach about 6.6 ft tall and 1.6 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 1 year.
When to plant Sunflower
Wait until all danger of frost has passed, then plant out Sunflower into warm soil; in most zones that means late spring. Planted then, it flowers from July to September.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar.
Comes in 11 varieties across 5 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Sunflower
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
The plant is named for following the sun, but that is only half true: young buds track it east to west, while mature open heads settle facing east. per NC State
Pollen-free strains feed bees less
Pollinator value depends on the cultivar: pollen-free florist strains, bred so pollen will not stain, give bees far less forage. Pick pollen-bearing types for pollinators. per University of Illinois and Frontiers
Stake giants; pinch branching types
Single-stem giants are top-heavy: stake them early while the stem is still flexible, and never pinch them, since they carry one bloom. Pinch only branching cut-flower types. per NC State and University of Illinois
Seed heads: feed or harvest
The oil-rich seed heads are a top food for finches, birds and squirrels. Leave standing heads into winter to feed them, or net heads to save a seed harvest. per NC State
Self-seeds and can spread
It self-seeds readily from dropped seed and volunteers in open ground; NC State cautions it can become weedy if you let it reseed. per NC State
What pairs well with Sunflower
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Tulip Tree
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in late spring, before this one opens; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; both are native plants.
English Daisy
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Pansy
Takes full sun to part sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 8 in, to carpet the ground beneath; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Chives
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in late spring, before this one opens; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; low at 12 in, to carpet the ground beneath.
Creeping Phlox
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months.
Autumn Crocus
Shares full sun and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; both offer pollinator forage.
Hyacinth
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 10 in, to carpet the ground beneath; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Canterbury Bells
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in late spring, before this one opens; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; lower at 2.3 ft, for the front of the border.
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