brilliant , pollyannaish , and oh - so - beautiful ! Sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus ) make a howling addition to yourbackyard gardenand convey   those summertime vibes to any space with theirlarge flowers .

Not only do their flush look arresting , but sunflowers are one of the best pollinating plant out there , attracting bee and insects . Sunflowers are alsofast - growingand have a recollective blooming time of year – so get quick to enjoy those colorful flowers all summer long !

Discover the ideal time to implant your sunflowers outside , along with basic works care .

Red bleeding heart flowers

When to Plant Sunflowers

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you could plant sunflower in your garden when the temperature start to increase , and there is no longer a danger of frost . Typically gardeners plant helianthus outdoors in the spring , between April to June .

Check the frost escort for your area , as some locating can start sow seeds outdoors in mid - March . helianthus seeds need some warmth to germinate properly . The soil temperature should be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit before you begin plant .

Hosta edging along the garden border

Sunflower Plant Care

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Choose Your Sunflower

pop helianthus varieties let in ' Mammoth , ' which grows over 12 feet tall , and ' Cappuccino , ' which reaches heights of 7 foot tall . If you ’re take care for something smaller in size , moot planting ' Sunrich Gold , ' which grow to about 5 feet grandiloquent . ' Teddy Bear ' and ' Sunspot ' are democratic choicesfor containersas they develop more compact , attain only 2 to 3 feet magniloquent . Most varieties grow to full sizing in or so 80 to 95 sidereal day .

Start Sunflowers From Seed

It ’s best todirect sowyoursunflower seedsoutdoors when potential . This eccentric of works has raw etymon , so endeavor to avoid transplanting if you could . If you want tostart indoorsandtransplantoutside afterwards , apply a biodegradable smoke to start your seedling . This type of container will divulge down in the soil once planted .

To begin , sow seeds1 column inch deep in the filth and impart adequate room between plants . For smaller varieties , space the plant 6 inches aside . For taller - growing eccentric , space 1 to 2 foot apart . At planting , coalesce in a small amount of slow - releasefertilizer into the soilto help the industrial plant along . This promotes solution outgrowth and an overall stronger , healthier plant .

Once you seed your seed outdoors , determine for doll , as they enjoy eating sunflower seeds ! To provide aegis and prevent this , embrace the dirt with net until the seedlings emerge . Seeds will germinatein approximately seven to 10 days . When the plant reach about 6 inches tall , thin your seedling and only keep the strongest one grow .

Gardening tools in a basket

Give Proper Sunlight

helianthus need plenty ofdirect sunlightto thrive in the garden . plant life in a patch that receivesfull sun– anywhere from six to eight hours per day . The localization should be very bright and sunny to give your plant sufficient Christ Within . helianthus do n’t grow very well inthe shade . If the plant does n’t receive enough sun , this will cause leggy increment and smaller blooms .

Choose a localization in the garden that invite some shelter from the wind . helianthus get fairly tall , and gamy fart can cause price to the plant and may even break its foresightful stem . Most sunflower do n’t require support as they grow . However , you may back taller varieties to provide the plant life with extra support .

Watering Needs

flora sunflowers in well - drain soil and water thoroughly about once a workweek during the spring and summertime , giving the flora a few gallons of water each time . Sunflowers will tolerate some periods of drouth , so you should irrigate the plants deeply but less often .

Pay attention to the outdoor weather and keep off watering when there is sound rain . During geological period of acute heat , check on your plants regularly and render more water if necessary . Water when the first few inches of soil are juiceless to the contact .

Fertilize Regularly

Fertilize sunflowers with a slow - release or water - solublefertilizeras soon as your plant life have three to four rightful leaves . Sunflowers care slenderly acidulous soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 .

When applying a slow - dismission fertilizer , dot it around the plant , avoiding contact with its base and stem . If you are using a water - soluble type , avoid watering the leaves and stems of your plants . Instead , body of water at the soil level . If needed , hollow a moat around the plant around 18 inches away and then apply the fertiliser .

Here Comes the Sun(flowers)!

Now that you make out the correct time to engraft your sunflowers outdoors , it ’s time to decide which character you want to rise . While most helianthus are a bright yellow coloration , you may also spring up white , orange , and red sunflowers – so the choice are aplenty ! With the strong weather just around the niche , why not add a pop of color to your garden ?

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sunflowers growing

sunflowers growing in a backyard