No flower shines brighter than a sunflower, and as much as they inspired artists like Van Gogh and Monet, sunflowers remain one of the most iconic representations of summer wildflowers to this day. Not only are they easy to grow, they are usually the largest, boldest addition you can make to a garden, with some varieties—like the Mammoth— towering up to 12 feet tall!
Beyond their summer beauty, sunflowers are great flowers to grow for wildlife and humans, and they have been cultivated and used as a food source since 1000 BC. Ready to plant a few of your own? Here is everything you need to know about sunflower care in your Utah garden this year!
How Do You Take Care of a Sunflower Plant in Utah?
While sunflower care is not hard, it helps to know how to give these titans the best start in life for a long and dazzling summer show. Sunflowers are very adaptable plants, being pest resistant, heat tolerant, and grow very fast. Here are some tips for a happy Helianthus to keep them growing strong!
Soil
Sunflowers are very large seed-producing plants, so they need some good, fertile soil to make the most of their summer in your garden. Utah has the perfect sandy, well-draining soil to keep sunflowers in tip-top shape, but add some good organic matter like leaf mold or compost for extra nutrients. The ideal soil for growing sunflowers is slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.0-6.8.
Water
While many annuals relish in a steady water supply over hot summer days, sunflowers, in particular, will need more than others to keep up their rapid growth and size. Taller varieties should never be allowed to dry out and may not recover from a prolonged dry spell, so check flowers daily and water every day during long, hot weather conditions.
Sun
True to their name, these bright beauties need full sunlight to grow their best, so be sure to plant them where they can receive 6-8 hours of direct sun each day. Young sunflowers follow the movement of the sun, starting in the east and stopping in the west before returning back again, but when a flower reaches maturity, they will stay fixed on the east for the rest of their lives. This heavy sun exposure is beneficial on many levels and helps to attract bees who naturally prefer to pollinate warmer blossoms.
Space
Many varieties of sunflowers get really big, which is a large part of their appeal for many people. The ideal scenario for large varieties of sunflowers like Mammoth and Earthwalker is to plant them from seed in the garden and allow them to grow undisturbed from spring through summer; this ensures the roots have plenty of room to stretch out their long tap roots without disturbance; many varieties of these titan sunflowers don't survive later transplants once flowering has begun.
If you're growing sunflowers in pots, give them plenty of room for their taproot to sustain their height and try to plant either from seed or when still a young seedling. Smaller sunflower varieties, such as Italian White, Sensation Flame, and Sunfill Green, are best for containers.
Stability
Because of the impressive height of many sunflowers, part of their care should include staking to prevent breakage caused by wind or other disturbances. Many gardeners choose to plant giant sunflowers in front of a fence where it is easy to anchor stems, but if your sunflower is growing in a container or as a stand-alone, use a bamboo cane for added support.
Food
It is generally recommended not to feed sunflowers too much, but right before flowering, you can apply some tomato feed to the plant for extra nutrients for new blooms.
Growing sunflowers in Salt Lake City is a rewarding gardening experience. With the proper care and attention, you can have beautiful, sun-loving blooms that you can enjoy all summer long, and watch the wildlife savor the seeds in the fall. If you need more advice on the best sunflower care in Utah, come see us today. We have plenty of varieties available, including multifloral starts for Utah's favorite roadside sunflowers.