15 Different Types of Sunflowers to Plant In Your Garden
Add some sunshine to your garden with these gorgeous sunflower varieties.
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Sunflowers are some of the best types of flowers you should have in your garden. With more than 70 different varieties, these annual plants come in tons of different sizes and colors. Sunflowers are native to North America and are one of the easiest flowers to grow. In addition to being drought-tolerant and pest-resistant, sunflowers love the summer heat and are full-sun flowers that thrive in a garden with lots of light. In fact, sunflowers love the sunshine so much that they’re known for heliotropism, a behavior in which plants move throughout the day so that they’re always facing the sun.
Thinking about adding sunflowers to your garden? Read up on these essential grow tips:
- Sunflowers are some of the best low-maintenance flowers. While they need water to grow tall, they don’t do well with overwatering. Sunflowers would rather have too little water than too much.
- Sunflowers have long roots that need space to spread out. For average sized sunflowers (about 3 feet tall), space your seeds about a foot apart. Looking to win a prize for the tallest sunflower at your state fair? Think about planting your seeds about 3 feet apart.
- Because of their height, sunflowers can be susceptible to damage from wind. Plant yours along a wall or fence for built-in support.
Now, all you need to get started is to pick out your sunflower seeds! When shopping for seeds, keep in mind that sunflowers can be categorized into three groups: tall, dwarf, and colored. Tall sunflower varieties can grow up to 15 feet tall. (The tallest sunflower on record measured in at 30 feet and 1 inch tall!) Dwarf sunflower types only grow to be about 3 feet tall and are perfect for small spaces such as garden boxes and planters. Sunflowers also come in a variety of colors now thanks to hybridization. Click through the gallery to learn more about some of our favorite types of sunflowers. There’s a reason sunflowers are some of the best flowers that bloom in summer!
Skyscraper Sunflowers
These traditional sunflowers are categorized as tall sunflowers and can grow up to 12 to 14 feet tall. Skyscraper sunflowers have thick stalks and can produce 14-inch flower petals.
Sunforest Mix Sunflowers
Looking to create a forest of sunflowers? This variety is your best bet. Sunforest Mix sunflowers can grow between 10 to 15 feet tall. When planting, leave about 3 feet of space between seeds so that roots have space to grow.
American Giant Sunflowers
The most popular variety of sunflowers used in growing competitions, American Giant sunflowers can grow up to 15 feet tall with faces about 1 foot wide. Their stems are chunky and sturdy to support the sunflower's heavy head.
Russian Mammoth Sunflowers
The height of Russian Mammoth sunflowers ranges from about 9 to 12 feet tall. These sunflowers are popular with pollinators like bees and butterflies and animals like birds and squirrels who like to eat their seeds.
Schweinitz's Sunflowers
One of the rarest types of sunflowers, Schweinitz's sunflowers were named about Lewis David von Schweintz, a botanist who discovered the species in the early 1800s. They can grow to be about 6 feet tall.
Sundance Kid Sunflowers
Sundance Kid sunflowers were one of the first species of dwarf sunflowers. They grow between 1 to 2 feet tall and have petals that fade from red to yellow.
Little Becka Sunflowers
Known for the orange "halo" effect of their petals, Little Becka sunflowers are a dwarf sunflower variety that grow to about 1 to 2 feet tall. They're perfect for growing in smaller garden planters or boxes.
Suntastic Yellow Sunflowers
With bright yellow petals and dark brown centers, Suntastic Yellow sunflowers can grow to about 20 inches tall. They love to grow in packs so you can expect to see 5 to 8 flower faces blooming from each stem.
Teddy Bear Sunflowers
The fluffy petals of the Teddy Bear sunflowers are what gives this variety its charming name. These sunflowers can grow to about 2 feet tall, and their edible petals can be fun to use for salad toppings or cake decorating.
Pacino Sunflowers
These bright yellow beauties grow to about 12 to 16 inches tall and produce multiple flowers from a single stem. Pacino sunflowers are perfect for adding to cut flower bouquets and summer flower arrangements.
Moulin Rouge Sunflowers
One of the most sought-after colored sunflowers, Moulin Rouge sunflowers grow to about 4 feet tall. They're known for their burgundy red petals that are resistant to fading from the sun.
Strawberry Blonde Sunflowers
For a multicolored sunflower, try planting Strawberry Blonde sunflowers, which can grow to about 5 feet tall. The petals fade from a creamy white into a reddish-pink closer to the center.
Chianti Sunflowers
As one of the darkest sunflowers, Chianti sunflowers are known for their deep red wine colored petals. They grow to about 4 to 6 feet tall, produce multiple flowers per stem, and are pollen-free.
Italian White Sunflowers
Growing to about 5 feet tall, Italian White sunflowers are a favorite among bees and butterflies. Their petals are more slender and less crowded than traditional sunflowers and boast a creamy color.
Earthwalker Sunflowers
These autumn-hued sunflowers will make a great transition into your fall garden. Earthwalker sunflowers grow to between 6 to 9 feet tall and have petals with dark, earthy hues like brown, red, and gold.
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