This spring was the first time I ever planted and grew Sunflowers. Unfortunately I chose Russian Mammoth - going on the theory that bigger would be better. So I had to stand on the top deck to get a photo of the first flower as the stem is 'about' nine feet (3 meters) high! You can see in the second photo the 1 yellow flower that has finally emerged. I wanted to grow sunflower seeds for the birds. Probably should have chosen a shorter variety..........ahhh well........live and learn Suggestions for another variety?
I know a few dwarf sunflowers that you might want to look out for:- Little Leo Teddy Bear Firecracker Big Smile There are bound to be lots more but these are the only ones that come to mind at the moment.
@ Eileen and Stratsmom - Wrote down those varieties in my book for next spring. I actually thought the "Mammoth" reference referred to the size of the flower and I wanted big flowers as I am basically growing these for the birds......ahh well - live and learn. The flower might get bigger. I have 4 of these growing and they've well surpassed the fence. The one thing I have heard a couple times now is people who walk the pathway behind me comment on seeing the sunflower cause it is so tall and high
I have planted Black Oil Sunflowers several times. They do grow 6 to 10 feet tall but I've read that they have the highest amount of oil and is what is sold for bird seed. I planted them behind the shrub bed one year and had a neighbor walk over to find out what was so tall. One year I planted a mixed package of sunflowers that were red, yellow, and bi-colors. All sizes and colors. That was fun to look at.
Mine mutated....gross. It had three heads and attracted the Wasps.... For height I could not fault it but the heads were horrid in the extreme. K
@ 2ofus - I love the mixed colour ones. This big guys were super easy to grow but I think next year I want the colour. @ Kate - Ewww gross if they mutated and attracted wasps!
I think next year I''l plant the black oil sunflowers behind the shrubs but plant the mixed colored ones in front of the shrubs. I had forgotten how well I liked them.
@2ofus - I'm going to see how many flower heads I get off these monsters I planted this year. I'm thinking, since I still have seeds left and since they don't really take much space, to plant them in the back again next year and shorter colourful ones up front too
