The Full Guide to Sunflowers in Your Landscaping
The Full Guide to Sunflowers in Your Landscaping
What brightens up an outdoor area faster than anything else? Bright, colorful sunflowers are definitely at the top of that list!
You may find the idea of growing sunflowers in your own landscaping to be a little intimidating. However, it is not as difficult and time-consuming as you may believe. Here is our full, detailed guide to growing these bright, cheery flowers in your own backyard.
Varieties of Sunflowers
Did you know there are actually many different varieties of sunflowers? In addition to the well-known tall and yellow standard sunflower, there are options that range from a few inches tall to over 6 feet. Their general shape and petals can also differ too.
Sunflowers also come in many different colors as well. While a lot of varieties are yellow, they also come in red and orange.
No matter where you want to plant these flowers, or what other colors you are working with, there is a sunflower option for you.
Planting Sunflowers
These flowers are actually some of the heartiest options for your garden, meaning that they are fairly easy to plant and keep alive, and they do well in varied climates.
It’s best to plant sunflowers in the springtime, after the last frost. Any soil will technically work for them, but they will do best in average to rich soil that is well-drained over more sandy soil.
These flowers do, of course, need a lot of direct sunlight, so make sure they are planted in a well-lit area. Ideally, they would also be placed somewhere that gives their roots room to grow as deep and wide as they need to – this is especially important for the taller varieties.
Since these plants turn towards the sun, you will want to make sure that other plants in the area are still able to get the natural light they need as well.
Taking Care of Your Sunflowers
When your sunflowers are still small, water around their root zone – this is about 3-4 inches from the plant.
Consider putting slug and snail bait around their stems.
Unless you have extremely dry or wet weather, water the flowers infrequently and deeply to encourage them to establish deep roots.
Do not over-fertilize sunflowers. Feed them diluted fertilizer in addition to their water, just make sure it’s kept away from the plant base.
Taller species of sunflowers will need additional support as they grow. Consider bamboo stakes or other sturdy options to keep them upright.
Potential Pests and Diseases
When you plant the sunflower seeds, birds and squirrels will want to eat them. Consider putting up a barrier device around your newly planted seeds. Deer will need to be kept away with a taller, wire barrier.
Typically, sunflowers are free of insects. On occasion, you may have to pick worms out of the plants, and moths sometimes lay eggs in their blossoms.
Lastly, rust and mildew can affect the flowers negatively. If you notice fungal diseases, spray your sunflowers with a general garden fungicide.
Hiring Professional Help for Your Sunflowers
If you are interested in adding a variety of sunflowers to your landscaping but don’t know where to start, consider contacting a trusted, local professional landscaping company to help you out. For those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area, consider contacting Homescape Now to help get you started with your sunflower planting!
