Flowers & companions
Sunflowers
For the birds and the view.
- Outside
- Direct mid May, after frost
- Where
- In ground, along a fence
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- A deep occasional soak; the taproot finds the rest
A sunflower row along the fence is grown for the view in July and for the goldfinches stripping seed heads by September. It is the one crop planted with no intention of harvesting it.
Growing
Direct sow an inch deep once frost passes in mid May, in full sun; the first two weeks are the risky ones, when chipmunks dig the seed and cutworms level seedlings, so a few backups started in pots are cheap insurance. Branching types flower from July into September, while the single-stem giants make one statement and then stand at attention until the finches arrive. Leave the heads standing; the birds run the harvest. One deep soaking in a dry stretch beats a week of sprinkling; the taproot takes it from there.
Varieties
Lemon Queen is the branching standard the pollinators mob; Mammoth Grey Stripe grows the porch-tall single head; Autumn Beauty covers the bronze end of the range.