Sunflower: varieties, growing and uses

Three distinct flower forms

Teddy Bear forms low plants with thick, fully double golden flowers. Sonja is a branching cutting choice with smaller yellow flowers and dark centres. Vanilla Ice gives pale cream- to lemon-yellow flowers with a dark centre. Check Vanilla Ice’s botanical identity: the RHS trial lists Helianthus debilis. The general name sunflower does not mean all choices are the same species.

A stake before the wind

Place a stake when planting out to reduce later root damage. Tie the stem with a soft, loose loop that allows growth. After a growth spurt, check the tie has not tightened. A tall plant beside a path also needs enough distance to leave room for flower heads and passers-by.

Flowers on the plant or in a vase

Branching types are attractive if you want to cut small bouquets regularly. Leave enough leaves and do not cut every side branch at once. For a striking garden flower, the head can simply remain. It is a deliberate choice between cutting, admiring for longer and allowing seed to form for birds.

Following a seed head

Observe flower centres changing after bloom and await true maturity. Save sowing seed thoroughly dry. Protect one head for collecting and leave others for birds. Do not automatically eat random ornamental seed; choose suitable reliable food crops.

Scent, flavour and use

For Helianthus annuus, the RHS lists young flower buds and petals as edible options. This does not establish flavour differences between ornamental selections and does not automatically apply to every other Helianthus species. These choices are described primarily as ornamental flowers.

Care, cutting and harvesting

Sow in individual pots or directly in a suitable sunny position. Plant out strong, hardened-off seedlings once frost risk has passed. Water young plants and protect them from slugs. Tall types need support early.

Remove spent side flowers when further ornamental flowering is the aim. Leave seed heads if you want to feed birds. Do not automatically pinch out a main stem: this changes the growth habit and main flower.

Cut ornamental flowers for a vase or leave heads to mature for birds. Collect dry, ripe seed for a sowing trial, noting that cultivar and colour do not always come true.