Sunflowers are one of the most popular flowers to plant for summertime. Their large and vibrant flower heads look striking in any yard and also benefit the nearby flora and fauna. Apart from adding height, structure, and color to your yard, sunflowers attract bees, butterflies, and birds, are a good companion plant, and improve soil health.
Their bright, nectar-rich blooms feed pollinators, while as companion plants, they attract ladybirds and lacewings, which help control pests. Their deep roots also help to aerate the soil, improving its health by allowing for better root penetration and drainage. Sunflowers are also easy to grow and are often the first choice for kindergartens to give little ones their first experience of growing plants from seeds.
Despite this, whether you are five or 75, sunflowers are still fun to grow and will provide a beautiful display in your yard for all generations to enjoy. Here, Lucy Taylor, manager at Vine House Farm , shares her expert tips on the best ways to grow sunflowers for a spectacular summertime display. Before you’ve even put on your best gardening gloves it’s essential to consider what growing conditions sunflowers prefer and the best place in your yard they’ll thrive.
“Sunflowers need lots of sunlight to be able to grow. Around 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal, especially for bigger varieties,” says Taylor. “If you’re initially sowing the seeds under cover in pots, they’ll thrive in a greenhouse or very.
