Sunflowers have been forever immortalised by Van Gogh, the majestic sunflower is one of the most instantly recognisable flowers in the world.
With their sunny yellow petals and cheerful demeanour a sunflower embodies all that is summer and makes the perfect uplifting gift. No matter how you choose to display them these gorgeous flowers are sure to steal the show.
The sunflower originates from North America and was first cultivated back in 3,500 BC by American-Indian tribes. In the late 16th century Spanish explorers brought the sunflower to Europe where it was widely cultivated for its oil and striking beauty, making it a popular flower for decoration in homes and gardens, which it still is today.
Scientific Name: Helianthus
Family: Asteraceae
Availability: May-October with limited availability during the rest of the year
Great blend of bicoloured flowers in a mix of colours. This long flowering variety is perfect in borders and is also great for cutting. Height: 210cm (83). Spread: 60cm (24).Culinary information: Some parts of these flowers are edible. Click here for more details about edible flowers.
A comprehensive mixture of sunflower colours in a host of evening sun shades - yellows, reds and buff, some with a bright yellow or a deep red disc. These medium sized flower heads (approx. 10-13cm (4-5in) in diameter), make fantastic cut flowers, lasting for a long time in water and help to give height and stature in the border. Flowers summer. Height 122-150cm (48-60in).
A giant among annuals. Give them plenty of room and you will be rewarded with plants up to 3m (10ft) tall with huge yellow flowers often 30cm(12in) in diameter. Useful to grow against an unsightly shed or fence. Birds love the seeds so grow a few plants close to the house and watch them feed in the autumn. Flowers summer. Height 8-10ft.
Easy to grow and a giant in sunflowers. Grows up to 3m (10ft) tall if given plenty of room and boasts eye-catching, huge yellow flowers up to 30cm (12in) in diameter. Excellent for the back of borders, ideal for children to grow and birds love the seeds and will feed from the flower heads in the autumn.
This striking sunflower produces rich chocolate coloured blooms with gold-rimmed edges over a long period in summer. Multi-headed and boasting large pollen-free flowers up to 15cm (6) in diameter, Sunflower 'Shock-o-Lat' is ideal planted en masse at the back of a border. The tall, sturdy stems make fabulous cut flowers for a vase indoors too. Height: 1.8m (6'). Spread: 50cm (20).
The central brown disc of Solar Eclipse is flanked by a ring of pure yellow petals with a rich red flaming, this gives a spectacular ring of fire to the bloom. Ideal for height and stature in the border, and makes a fine cut flower. Easy to grow; ideal for children.
Early-flowering, dwarf and bushy, this eye-catching sunflower boasts a distinctive bronze 'halo' and chocolatecoloured, pollen-free centre. Looks impressive in a patio pot, or can be grown as an attractive and unusual annual hedge
Plants are bushy and multistemmed, producing up to 20 blooms per plant! The bright yellow, chrysanthemum- type, double and semi-double blooms last for up to 3 weeks on the plants, that's 2 or 3 times longer than other double varieties. Early to flower and perfect for containers and borders, this compact and free-flowering sunflower is set to take gardens by storm this summer!
A hybrid form of 'Russian Giant' offering improved vigour. If it's a record breaker you are after, this is the one to grow in 2015! Reaching 4m (13ft) with no special care, 'Tall Timbers' also produces impressive flowers with rich chocolatey centres - the archetypal sunflower.
Sow directly outdoors - ready to flower in 12 weeks, the multibranching habit produces several blooms on one plant, ideal for the border and to cut for a vase.