Year of the Sunflower by National Garden Bureau

Ring Of Fire by GardenTrends

Sunflowers are one of the most popular genera of flowers to grow in your garden. First-time to experienced gardeners gravitate to these bold, easy to grow flowers.

Sunflowers originated in the Americas and domestic seeds dating back to 2100 BC have been found in Mexico. Native Americans grew sunflowers as a crop, and explorers eventually brought the flowers to Europe in the 1500s. Over the next few centuries, sunflowers became increasingly popular on the European and Asian continent, with Russian farmers growing over 2 million acres in the early 19th century (most of which was used to manufacture sunflower oil).

Red Sunflower:  it took years of breeding efforts to produce 

this impressive red ProCut sunflower – Courtesy Johnny’s Selected Seeds

Did you Know:

~ The sunflower head is actually made up of thousands of tiny flowers.

~ The wild sunflower is native to North America, but was commercialized in Russa.

~ The tallest sunflower grown was 30’1” in Germany in 2014.

~ Native Americans and Mexicans were among the first to cultivate sunflowers.

~ Sunflowers are a great addition to a pollinator garden providing both nectar and seeds.

~ Sunflowers track the sun; the flower heads turn as the sun moves across the sky. 

~ Sunflower seeds traveled to space in 2012 when astronaut Don Pettit took them on board the International Space Station.

~ Sunflowers symbolize optimism positivity, long life and happiness.

~ Native Americans and Mexicans were among the first to cultivate sunflowers.

Giant Teddy Bear from Seeds by Design

Sunflower seeds can be direct sown after the risk of frost has passed or started indoors. Seeds should be sown ¼” to ½” deep and kept moist. Taller, larger sunflower varieties have a large taproot to keep them rooted and do not do well when they are transplanted so direct sowing of those varieties is recommended. Choose a site, or a container, in full sun, with average fertility and good drainage.

Text credit:  National Garden Bureau

For more information:  https://ngb.org/year-of-the-sunflower/