Collection: Sunflower Seeds

While the vivid powerful sunflower is well-known for its attractiveness it is also a valuable food source. Helianthus is a genus comprising roughly 70 species of herbaceous plants belonging to the aster family Asteraceae.

Sunflowers are largely native to North and South America although some varieties are grown as ornamentals because of their large flower heads and edible seeds. Sunflowers are associated with a variety of meanings and symbols.

Some are based on the narrative of Clytie and Apollo the sun god from Greek mythology. Heliotropism or the tracking of the sun by juvenile sunflowers is an interesting sunflower fact.

Every day the face of a young sunflower follows the sun from sunrise to sunset repeating the pattern until it reaches maturity.

Are sunflower plants perennials

Sunflowers either are annuals needing to be replanted each year or perennials coming back every year from the same plant and distinguishing between the two is simple if you know-how.

It is dependent on the plant you are growing. Annual sunflowers are known as Helianthus annuus whereas perennial sunflowers are known as Helianthus multiflorus.

While the majority of varieties of this brilliant beauty are annuals meaning they will not bloom again the following growing season falling seeds may self-germinate.

The seed heads of annual sunflowers can be large or little whereas perennial sunflower seed heads are only small. Another difference is that annual sunflowers germinate and grow quickly whereas perennial sunflowers take longer to germinate and flourish.

Are there white sunflowers

If you've not spent some time looking into the various sunflower kinds available on the market you should. Annual sunflowers have been bred to bloom in colors other than the traditional sunny yellow and even white sunflowers are available.

Moonshadow has 4 inches 10 cm blooms on shorter stems and is creamy white. Italian White produces blooms that are similar in size to daisies but with smaller centers.

How to grow sunflower from seed

Sunflower blossoms are bright yellow and resemblesmiles on a stalk. Sunflower seeds can be planted from early March to mid-May but this varies depending on the variety so always check the seed packet.

After the threat of spring, frost has passed put sunflower seeds straight into the soil or outdoor containers. In a shallow trench between 1 and 2 inches, deep space seeds about 6 inches apart. 2 inches deep is preferable in sandy soil.

Cover and water seeds every 7 to 10 days until they sprout. Plants should be thinned to about 2 feet apart once genuine leaves grow. Stagger your planting spreading a new row of seeds every two to three weeks for ongoing flowering.

How to harvest sunflower seeds

Harvesting sunflowers is simple but knowing when to harvest them can be difficult for some gardeners.

Its simple to gather sunflower seeds at the end of the season to dry for replanting bake for a delightful snack or repurpose into suet cakes to feed the birds during the winter months.

When your sunflowers flower heads start to wilt keep an eye on them every day. When the undersides of the heads turn yellow and brown they're ready to harvest.

Seeds will seem plump with black seed coats or black and white stripes depending on the variety.

Cut the stem around one foot down from the flower head with sharp scissors or pruners and deseed the flower. Put the seeds safely in a container to store them.

Where to buy sunflower seeds

If you're intending to plant sunflowers in your garden for the first time its critical to get high-quality seeds to ensure that you get gorgeous flowers to adorn your space.

Nurserylive can help you grow your own sunflowers by providing high-quality seeds. Sunflowers can be grown in pots or directly in the garden with these seeds which have a good germination rate.