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A sunflower 'flower' is actually a head of hundreds of tiny florets, and young buds track the sun across the sky each day — a movement called heliotropism.
Helianthus annuus
flower
Bees
Bumblebees
Butterflies
Pest controlIconic annual grown for flowers, seeds, or both. Heads track the sun while developing, then face east when mature. Direct-sow after last frost. Birds love the seeds — beat them to it by bagging the head as it ripens.
🐛 Prone to: Aphids, Caterpillars, Spider mites.
Attract Hoverflies, Lacewings, Ladybirds, Parasitic wasps, Predatory mites, Minute pirate bugs to keep them in check — plant African MarigoldFair, AngelicaFair and AniseFair nearby.
🌼 Beneficial companion — draws Hoverflies, Ladybirds, Lacewings that help control Aphids, Whitefly, Thrips, Spider mites on neighbouring plants.
Did you know?
A sunflower 'flower' is actually a head of hundreds of tiny florets, and young buds track the sun across the sky each day — a movement called heliotropism.
Tagetes patula
flowerA fellow Asteraceae — similar growing habits to Sunflower
Direct-sow Sunflower outdoors about 1 weeks after your last frost. Seeds usually come up in around 10 days. Grow in full sun, spaced about 45 cm apart. Expect the first blooms in roughly 80 days.
Water: Medium · Height: 250 cm · Soil: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility. pH 6.0-7.5. Tolerates poor soil but prefers not waterlogged conditions.
