Butterflies, beneficial insects, hummingbirds and birds flock to sunflower heads for food, pollen and nectar. Mexican sunflowers are particularly good at attracting Monarch butterflies as they migrate through the country. Butterflies and insects enjoy the flower pollen and nectar while birds feast on the seeds. If growing sunflowers for wildlife, remember not to grow pollen-less varieties. Plant tall varieties along a fence to block an unsightly view, or try them in the back of the flower border or along the side of the house or garage.
Mix and match sunflower plants in the garden with other annual and perennial flowers. Plant tall varieties along a fence to block an unsightly view, or try them in the back of the flower border or along the side of the house or garage.
Mix tall perennials, such as hollyhocks, in with your sunflower plants for added color. Plant medium-tall sunflowers near perennials such as phlox and echincaea. Plant dwarf varieties in the front of a flower garden or even in containers. Create a cutting garden with sunflowers specifically to be cut and brought indoors. Cut sunflowers for flower arrangements in the morning, once the petals are evident, but before they fully open.
Designing with Sunflowers
For kids, create a 'sunflower house'. Mark out a circle in a full sun location with a 3 to 4 ft-wide diameter in the middle. Till and amend a strip of ground around the circle with compost. Leave a 2 to 3 ft-wide opening unplanted for the door. Choose tall varieties that will create a sizable 'roof'. In spring, help your kids plant the circle with their favorite varieties. Keep them well-watered and then let the sunflowers grow together without thinning. Once they form heads, gently tie the tops of the sunflower stalks together to form the roof. Leave the grass as-is, or place cardboard for the 'floor'. Let the kids bring toys and other fun objects into their fun summer home!
You can also use sunflowers instead of corn in a Native American 'Three Sister's Garden'. Plant pole beans to grow up the clump of 3-week old sunflower stalks, and plant winter squash and pumpkins around the base of the clump 3 weeks after the beans. The beans will clinb up the flowers and the low-growing squash will shade out weeds and prevent the soil from drying out.
Sunflower seeds are popular for eating and birds love them, too. When growing sunflowers for the seeds, once the petals fade, protect the flower heads by placing paper bags over them. This will prevent the birds from getting the maturing seeds. Once you can run your hand over the seed heads and the seeds easily drop out, harvest the sunflower head and let it finish maturing in a protected shed or garage.
There is also another way to eat sunflowers: grow a multiple-headed variety! Once the flower buds form, but before they start opening to show color, harvest the flower bud just below the blossom. Steam it like a glove artichoke and dip it in butter. You'll be amazed at the sunflower/artichoke-like flavor!
About the Author:Charlie Nardozzi is a nationally recognized garden speaker, author, consultant, radio and TV show host. He delights in making gardening information simple, easy, fun and accessible to everyone. Visit his website,GardeningwithCharlie.comfor how-to gardening information, and for more about Charlie.
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FAQs
The wildflower seeds will have a hard time germinating and may not be able to access the water and sunlight that they need to grow. If there is no vegetation in the space where you plan on growing wildflowers, your chances of success may be a bit better if you simply toss the seeds onto the ground.
What happens if you plant too many wildflower seeds? ›
Be careful not to plant more than the recommended rate - wildflowers do not like crowded conditions! Planting too much seed can cause crowding and reduce flowering.
How do you plant a sunflower meadow? ›
Sunflowers are best sown directly in the ground after the last frost. Simply poke a hole 1-inch deep, drop in a seed then cover the hole. Space branching varieties 18” apart and single-stem varieties 6” apart.
How often should I water wildflower seeds? ›
Seeds must be kept moist during the fragile stage when they swell with water until the time when new little roots have grown deep enough to find soil moisture. Important: do NOT let the seeds dry out! This may require watering 2 to 4 times each day.
What are the disadvantages of a wildflower meadow? ›
Weeds and Competing Species:
Weeds can infiltrate the meadow and compete with wildflowers for resources. Regular maintenance, including weed removal and occasional mowing, is necessary to manage unwanted plant species.
Is it illegal to sprinkle wildflower seeds? ›
Theodore Payne Foundation, S&S Seeds, Larner Seeds, Seed Hunt) who specialize in California natives. If possible, use locally-native wildflower seeds, but note that it is illegal and unethical to harvest seeds from public lands without a permit. Wildflowers have been in decline for many years, leave the seeds in place.
What month is best to plant wildflower seeds? ›
When's the Best Time to Plant Wildflower Seeds? The best time of year to plant wildflower seeds is in the spring, ideally March/April time. If you miss the window of opportunity in the spring, the second-best time is the autumn, around September/October.
Can you just throw wildflower seeds in a field? ›
Don't skimp on the preparation!
I wish I had a nickel for everyone who told me, "I just threw the seed out there in my field" and they're disappointed they don't have wildflowers. You're not giving the seed a good chance of survival if it has to compete with existing root structures in the soil.
Should I soak wildflower seeds before planting? ›
If possible, give your seeds a thorough, gentle soaking. (See What To Expect below for more watering tips.) Leave seeds uncovered. Unlike vegetable seeds, tiny wildflower seeds require light to germinate.
What not to plant with sunflowers? ›
"Sunflowers release allelopathic chemicals that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants, such as potatoes and beans," explains Janney. She also recommends avoiding plants with shallow root systems, since they will compete for nutrients and water, and plants that will be stunted by the shade of tall-reaching sunflowers.
Sunflower seeds don't need to be soaked before planting—after all, the seeds split easily—but soaking them for 12 to 24 hours will hasten germination and increase the number of seeds that sprout.
Can you plant sunflowers and wildflowers together? ›
Many of our native prairie flowers can take part in companion planting with sunflowers. Wild flowers will further encourage pollinators and are often excellent habitat for wildlife, as well as providing food. As an added bonus, wildflowers are adapted to the region and are self sufficient.
Can you just throw sunflower seeds on the ground? ›
If you have a large number of sunflower seeds, and don't mind a lower success rate, you can skip straight to planting. Seeds planted directly in the soil typically take 11 days to emerge.
Should you cover wildflower seeds with soil? ›
To allow the seeds full sunlight, do not cover them in any way. After planting, give the area a good soaking. We recommend watering regularly (but not soaking the area) until seedlings are about 6-8" tall.
What is the best fertilizer for wildflower seeds? ›
Topdressing mixed wildflowers can be a little tricky; however, research and experience indicate that topdressing fall seeded wildflowers in late winter or early spring with a 2-1-1 analysis fertilizer (i.e. 16-8-8 or 18-9-9) can be very beneficial for plant vigor and bloom longevity.
Will wildflower seeds grow if I just throw them? ›
It can't be said too often: preparation is the key to success when it comes to growing a meadow or garden. Gardeners often ask, “Can I just toss seeds in the grass?” We do NOT recommend it! Planting perennials and bulbs into poorly prepared soil will result in disappointing growth as well.
Does spreading wildflower seeds work? ›
If it's a smaller area, you can simply spread the seed by hand. After spreading the seed, compress the seed into the soil. The better seed-to-soil contact, the better chance of germination.
Can you spread wildflower seeds without tilling? ›
You will need to loosen the soil before planting your new wildflower seeds or wildflower and grass mix seeds, however, avoid deep tilling. Try to only disturb the top 2-3 inches of soil, then rake smooth. Allow the weed seeds that have been exposed, to germinate, then hoe or hand pull them.
Do wildflower seeds need to be buried? ›
After sowing seeds, it's important to compress seeds into soil. This can be done by walking on the planting area, using cardboard or boards, or using rollers. Compressing seeds into soil - but not burying them - is an important step that you don't want to skip when planting on a slope.
