Who can’t deny the elegance of sunflower when the summertime comes? The bright petals resembling the glowing rays of the sun truly fascinate plenty of people.
It can be found all year round, adding the charm of your tropical garden. There are a variety of types of sunflowers in nature. They are classified based on the size as well as color.
In this article, we'll cover
A. Sundance Kid Sunflower
Sundance Kid is one of the dwarf sunflowers that enrich loveliness to the entire garden. It uniquely has semi-double flowers highlighting the color of yellow and orange.
The perfect combination of the two shades makes your little paradise feel warmer. In the natural setting, it can grow up to two feet tall. It frequently blooms in summer.
For its maximum growth, be sure to apply well-drained soil and a balanced fertilizer.
B. Giant Sungold Sunflower
At a glance, the giant Sungold looks like a marigold flower. It is one of a kind. It goes with huge blossom with a fluffy texture. When summer hits, the flowers can multiply up to 6 to 10 inches.
They can attract some flying animals such as bees, birds, and butterflies.
The height of this yellow sunflower reaches up to 6 feet. The flower, whose scientific name is Helianthus annuus, is fast-growing and the evergreen leaves are shaped like the head of a lance.
It doesn’t need serious maintenance so you can use the plant as border perennials. To let the flower thrive well, it requires full sun. For the soil, it prefers well-drained one that’s rich in humus.
The state of the soil must be between neutral and alkaline. Propagating the seed is highly recommended during the spring. Unfortunately, it’s susceptible to Sclerotinia diseases, powdery mildew, and slugs.
Read also: Growing Sunflowers to Brighten Up Your Garden
C. Russian Mammoth Sunflower
Another fascinating variety of sunflower is the Russian mammoth. True to its name, it comes with bright yellow giant blossoms. It’s characterized by wide petals spanning to 14 inches.
It can attract a flock of birds as the flowers look attractive. It’s best placed in the corner of your garden. The height of this sunflower ranges from 9 to 12 feet tall.
Russian mammoth is well grown in an area under Mediterranean climate. For the propagation, you can do the seed dissemination in early April or at the beginning of spring.
While preparing the planting medium, make sure that the soil is dry. It is also highly tolerant of the full sun. It doesn’t need regular watering as it’s one of the sunflower varieties that’s highly resistant to heat and drought as well.
D. Earthwalker Sunflower
Do you think that yellow sunflowers are boring? Then you might have a try on other varieties – like earthwalker for instance. The hues that these blossom offers include red, brown, and gold.
If you want to have a cheerful atmosphere, we recommend you to grow pink sunflower.
The height of earthwalker sunflower ranges from 5 to 6 feet tall. One stem is usually comprised of 8 brilliant blossoms. It requires full sun to grow and develop.
E. American Giant Sunflower
American giant is a huge sunflower plant. Even its height can reach up to 15 feet tall—making it called as the tallest sunflower in the world. It goes with beautiful yellow petals and a dark color face.
In comparison to other sunflower varieties, American Giant is resistant to any weather. It stays strong when rain and wind hit the plant. The germination time usually takes place from 4 to 8 days.
F. Terracotta Sunflower
Terracotta sunflower gets a spot because of its brown color on the center and bright orange on its petals. The hybrid variety is pollen free, great for those who are allergic to pollen. The presence of this lovely flower can produce a rustic ambience.
The height of the flower averagely starts from 4 to 6 feet tall. When the stem has yet to achieve maturity, it needs some support. It will be strong once established.
Terracotta sunflower is an annual perennial that can grow fast. Within the months of summer, it can produce an abundance of exotic blossoms, and it dies in the chilly winter.
Not only great for adding spice to your garden but it is also great for bouquets and floral arrangement. It is very simple to take care of this plant. You only need to provide well-drained soil and fertilizer to support the plant’s growth.
Read also: Sunflower Meaning and Symbolism
G. Chianti Sunflower
If the bright concept doesn’t suit your taste, you can have a go with Chianti. Belong to one of the black sunflowers; this graceful flowering plant never fails to hypnotize people.
Some people might be hard to recognize this flower at first if they are not looking at it carefully. The dark wine red petals are the core to differentiate from others. Chianti can make a dramatic value on your garden with its contrast color.
H. Moulin Rouge Sunflower
If you love red sunflower, then don’t miss out on the charm of Moulin Rouge. It’s known for its pollen-less flower.
One stem of the plant can generate 3 to 6 blossoms. In relation to soil requirements, it needs well-drained type rich in nourishment.
Keep in mind that the soil is not loaded with nitrogen. The outcome would be bad because the sunflower will grow strongly with odd shapes.
Some factors determine the size and shape of this flowering plant. Those points include how you space the plant, how you set the temperature, as well as considering the type of soil.
If you plan to grow it in the early or late season; opt for varieties that don’t get affected by the day-length.
To put it briefly; there are many types of sunflowers that you can choose for your garden—from orange sunflower to black sunflower. This lovely flower could be a focal point of your garden.
Make sure you know the best way to plant and care them so that the outcome would be good.
