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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.
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 Marigold, Angelica and Anise nearby.
🌼 Beneficial companion — draws Hoverflies, Ladybirds, Lacewings that help control Aphids, Whitefly, Thrips, Spider mites on neighbouring plants.
Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility. pH 6.0-7.5. Tolerates poor soil but prefers not waterlogged conditions.
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.
Cosmos bipinnatus
flowerA fellow Asteraceae — similar growing habits to Sunflower
