1Mammoth Sunflower
Steven Puetzer//Getty Images Like the prehistoric wooly animal of the same name, Mammoth sunflowers are named for their large size, growing up to 12 feet tall with flowers that are 10 inches wide. This sunflower is one of the most iconic of the bunch due to its show-stopping size and effortless ability to grow.
2Ring of Fire Sunflower
All-America Selections Aptly named for the ring of fire red around the chocolate brown center of this golden flower, the Ring of Fire sunflower is one of the most unique and head-turning flowers on this list. This sensational sunflower can reach 4 to 5 feet tall and, thanks to its long flower stems, is perfect for cut flowers. It was a former All-America Selection winner for its fiery blooms.
3Teddy Bear Sunflower
Johnny's Selected Seeds With its characteristic fluffy petals, it's no wonder this sunflower has its adorable 'Teddy Bear' name! The plush golden blooms grow up to two feet tall and are ideal for planting at the front of borders or in pots.
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4Maximilian Perennial Sunflower
Johnny's Selected Seeds Unlike many of the sunflowers on this list, Maximilian is perennial in zones 3 to 9 and comes back from its roots year after year. The showy sunflower features multiple smaller flowers on each stem, creating a beautiful, long-lasting display in gardens and landscapes. They're also desirable to pollinators and wildlife, making them a popular choice for large perennial and wildflower gardens.
5Soraya Sunflower
All-America Selections This eye-catching sunflower is renowned for its large golden-orange blossoms with chocolate-brown centers. Soraya sunflowers were the very first to receive the prestigious All-America Selections award, recognized for their exceptional performance in home gardens. It's a great choice for the back of borders but is also one of the best for cutting due to its multiple branches with up to 25 stems per plant.
6Tithonia Fiesta del Sol
All America Selections This bright orange Mexican sunflower loves heat and humidity. Its small 2 to 3-inch wide blooms make excellent cut flowers.
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7Florenza
Johnny's Selected Seeds This handsome sunflower with striking coloring reacts 15 to 30 inches tall and has a mild chocolate scent. What a fun plant!
8Starburst Greenburst
Johnny's Selected Seeds This handsome sunflower grows from 12 to 24 inches tall and has pretty yellow petals with green centers. It's a great cutting flower.
9Procut Red
Johnny's Selected Seeds This is one of the prettiest red sunflowers you can grow. It blooms a bit earlier than other sunflowers, at around 50 to 60 days.
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10Bambino
Eden Brothers Small garden? This little guy tops out at 16 inches tall, so you can enjoy the beauty of sunflowers even if you have a more compact garden.
11Del Sol Sunflower
Burpee This sunflower has the classic golden petals and chocolate brown center, but it's a hybrid type—so it won't shed on tabletops. Best of all? Del Sol is a fast grower, which means you can cut and enjoy in vases just 50 days after planting.
12Buttercream Sunflower
Johnny's Selected Seeds Buttery yellow petals with a gorgeous dark brown center make this sunflower a lovely addition to any garden. Buttercream typically grow to about 4 feet tall with tons of side branches that make this variety a great cut flower.
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13Crimson Blaze Sunflower
Burpee This stunning sunflower has incredible, deeply saturated two-tone petals with a dark center. Crimson blaze reaches 5 to 6 feet tall and has plenty of branches for fresh-cut flowers all season. They're also loved by pollinators!
14Chocolate Sunflower
Johnny's Selected Seeds Who doesn't like chocolate? The rich brown tones make this sunflower a great option to mix it up in the garden. Chocolate sunflowers grow to about 5 feet tall, and bees love them!
15Sunray Yellow Sunflower
Burpee This adorable dwarf variety sports tons of flower power, but it tops out at just two feet tall. Sunray yellow sunflowers are a natural for pots and containers.
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16Strawberry Blonde Sunflower
Johnny's Selected Seeds Burgundy and pink petals make Strawberry Blonde a charming cut flower. Each plant produces one bloom, so plant lots of seeds for a longer show.
17Rouge Royale Sunflower
Johnny's Selected Seeds Sunflowers don't have to be just sunny yellow. This one has deep burgundy petals with blooms up to 6 inches wide. Rouge Royale is especially lovely in bouquets.
18Tiger Eye Sunflower
Burpee Gorgeous colors make this petite sunflower, which reaches about 30 inches, a must-have for borders and containers. Tiger Eye attracts tons of pollinators and has plenty of blooms for cutting to enjoy in a vase.
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19Little Becka Sunflower
Moelyn Photos//Getty Images Just 3 feet tall with 6-inch-wide flowers, this red sunflower is perfect in containers and borders. Little Becka also makes a fun, long-lasting cut flower.
20Giganteus
Park Seed These sunflowers grow up to 10 inches across for an amazing display on sturdy 6 or 8 foot stems. Tons of edible seeds make it a favorite of gardeners and birds alike!
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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