What type of plant is a sunflower? Variety introduction
Whether growing sunflowers as a way to attract pollinators, or simply to add some bright color to the summer garden, it is undeniable that these plants have long been a favorite of many gardeners. With a wide range of sizes and subtle shades of yellow and red, it is sometimes difficult to choose which varieties to grow.
Whether growing sunflowers as a way to attract pollinators, or simply to add some bright color to the summer garden, it is undeniable that these plants have long been a favorite of many gardeners. With a wide range of sizes and subtle shades of yellow and red, it is sometimes difficult to choose which varieties to grow. Fortunately for growers, there are open-pollinated and hybrid sunflower varieties that adapt well to most landscapes.
Types of Sunflower Plants
Sunflowers are annual herbaceous plants, and different types of sunflowers can vary greatly in size and color. In general, however, they can easily be divided into several different sunflowers. Here are just a few types of sunflower plants:
Giant Sunflowers
As the name suggests, these sunflower varieties can reach astonishing heights, some up to 16 feet (4.8 m)! Giant sunflower varieties are sure to make a statement when grown in the home garden, as they often grow taller than nearby fences (and sometimes houses). Although beautiful, these large plants sometimes need to be staked in areas prone to strong winds and severe summer storms.
Some popular giant sunflower varieties include:
'American Giant'
“Skyscraper”
'Russian Mammoth'
Medium Sunflowers
Medium sunflowers do grow tall; however, their height is far from that of giant sunflower varieties. Medium-sized sunflower varieties can generally be divided into single-stem and branching types. While single stems produce only one flower per plant, branching varieties give growers more flowers and a longer blooming period. Branching varieties offer growers planting in small spaces more color and visual impact.
Medium sunflower varieties to try are:
'Italian White'
'Moulin Rouge'
'Lemon Queen'
Dwarf Sunflowers
Dwarf sunflower varieties are an excellent choice for gardeners with very little space. Usually reaching only a few feet tall, many dwarf sunflower varieties can also be grown in containers or flower borders. The compact size of dwarf sunflowers allows for bright pops of color without disturbing vertical growing space.
Here are some dwarf sunflower varieties:
'Little Becka'
'Sunny Smile'
'Teddy Bear'
Pollen-Free Sunflowers
