Yellow, bold and surprisingly versatile. The sunflower is no longer just a symbol of the countryside. Modern varieties grow from 30 cm to several meters and are suitable both for a box on the balcony and in a flower bed. What is behind her return to the cities?
Why are sunflowers so popular?
Can one flower brighten up a garden and a small balcony? Sunflower can do it without any problems. And thanks to the huge number of varieties, today it is not only a symbol of the countryside, but also of modern urban gardening.
Sunflowers come from North America, where people cultivated them thousands of years ago. They came to Europe in the 16th century and gradually became more than just them an ornamental as well as a useful crop. It is known that at the end of the season you will also collect seeds from some flowers. But that is not the real reason why we usually grow them.
Plant lovers are mainly attracted by large flowers. Do you also want to try growing them? Thanks to the different varieties, you can also have them in a flowerpot on the balcony or terrace. Dwarf varieties are only around 30 to 60 cm, while giant types can grow to over 3 meters and flowers tend to be around 50 cm in diameter. The largest recorded in the Guinness Book of Records grew last year in the USA and measured a respectable 10.9 meters or 35 feet and 9 inches.
Well, tell me, isn’t she beautiful? The developing sunflower flower and other interesting videos can be found on Marek Černý’s YouTube channel (MC-film).
Varieties according to size and use
Today, the selection of sunflowers is surprisingly varied. They differ not only in height, but also in the color or shape of the flowers.
Dwarf varieties for the balcony and in flower pots
These include compact plants that cope well with limited space:
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Teddy Bear – full, “furry” flowers reminiscent of a teddy bear
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Sunspot Dwarf – a low plant with a large classic flower
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Elf – a small variety ideal for containers
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Suntastic Yellow – richly flowering, also suitable for boxes
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Little Becka – an interesting red-orange combination of flowers
These sunflowers usually grow up to 30 to 80 cm and often have more branches, so they look dense and decorative.
Medium-tall varieties for beds and containers
They work well in the garden and in larger pots:
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Lemon Queen – light yellow flowers, height around 1.5 m
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Moulin Rouge – dark red flowers
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Italian White – creamy white flowers
These are often branched varieties that produce multiple flowers during the season.
Tall and giant sunflowers for the garden
Dominant plants for classic beds:
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Titan – can grow up to 3-4 meters
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Mammoth – traditional tall variety
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American Giant – an extremely tall type
These sunflowers create a strong vertical element and are also suitable as a natural screen.
How to properly sow and care for sunflowers
Sunflowers are being sown directly on site from April to May. The seeds belong roughly 2 to 3 cm deep in the warmed soil. Spacing is important. Tall varieties need at least 50 cm and more, smaller varieties less. The location must be sunny. Without enough light, plants weaken and flower less.
Sunflower, but the care decides the result. Water regularly, especially in pots. The soil should not dry out for a long time. Taller varieties should be tied to a support, as the wind can easily damage them. You can enrich the soil with compost. The plants then grow and flower better.
Sunflowers also support the biodiversity of the garden. And if you let them ripen, you’ll even get your own seeds.
