Types of Sunflower: Get to Know the Varieties of Sunflower

There are many different sunflowers, each with unique characteristics and uses. Here are some of the most common types of sunflowers:

• Giant sunflowers: These can grow up to 12 feet tall and have large, showy heads up to 20 inches in diameter. Giant sunflowers are often grown for their impressive size and as a fun garden project for children.
• Dwarf sunflowers are much smaller than giant sunflowers, growing only 1-2 feet tall. Dwarf sunflowers are often grown in containers or as border plants in garden beds.
• Teddy bear sunflowers: These have fluffy, double blooms resembling teddy bear faces. They grow to be about 2-3 feet tall and are popular for their cute and unique appearance.
• Red sunflowers: These have deep red petals and a dark center disk. They grow about 5-6 feet tall and are often used as cut flowers in arrangements.
• Lemon Queen sunflowers: These have pale yellow petals and grow to be about 4-6 feet tall. They are known for their tolerance to shade and are a good option for gardens with partial sun.
• Autumn beauty sunflowers: These have a mix of yellow, red, and orange petals and grow to be about 5-6 feet tall. They are popular for their colorful blooms and long blooming period.

List of Sunflower Varieties

Russian Mammoth

Russian Mammoth sunflower is popular for its impressive size and large, edible seeds. This variety can grow up to 12 feet tall and produce sunflower heads up to 20 inches in diameter. The bright yellow flowers with dark centers attract many pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Russian Mammoth sunflowers are often grown as a food crop, as the large seeds are delicious and highly nutritious. The seeds can be roasted and eaten as a snack, used in baking, or pressed to make sunflower oil.

To grow Russian Mammoth sunflowers:

1. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
2. Plant the seeds in the spring after the last frost date and water regularly to moisten the soil.
3. As the plants grow, provide support with stakes or a trellis to prevent them from falling over in windy conditions.

American Giant

American Giant sunflowers are another popular variety of sunflowers that, as the name suggests, are known for their enormous size. They can grow up to 12 feet tall, with flower heads reaching 2 feet in diameter. The bright yellow flowers with dark centers attract pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and birds.

American Giant sunflowers are often grown for their ornamental value, as they make a bold statement in any garden or landscape, and are sometimes grown for their large seeds, which can be eaten or used for bird seed.

Sundance Kid

Sundance Kid is a dwarf sunflower variety that typically grows to a height of around 2-3 feet (60-90 cm), making it much smaller than other sunflower varieties like the Russian Mammoth or American Giant.

Despite its smaller size, Sundance Kid still produces beautiful yellow flowers with dark centers, and it is a popular choice for small gardens, containers, or as a border plant. It also tends to have a longer blooming period than some other sunflower varieties, providing color and interest in the garden for a longer period.

Suntastic Yellow With Black Center

Suntastic Yellow with Black Center is a type of sunflower variety that produces stunning yellow flowers with black centers. It is a relatively compact variety, growing to around 18-24 inches (45-60 cm). It blooms over a long period, making it an excellent choice for a continuous source of color in the garden or as a container plant.

Suntastic Yellow with Black Center sunflowers is often grown for their ornamental value, as they make a striking statement with their vibrant yellow petals and dark centers. They also attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making them a great addition to any pollinator garden.

Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge is a type of sunflower variety that produces stunning dark red to almost black flowers with a dark center. The flowers can grow up to 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in diameter, making them quite large and striking. Moulin Rouge sunflowers typically grow to around 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters) and are generally easy to grow and care for.

To grow Moulin Rouge sunflowers, choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Plant the seeds in the spring after the last frost date, and water regularly to keep the soil moist. You may need some support as the plants grow to keep them from falling over in windy conditions, as they can become quite tall and top-heavy.

Strawberry Blonde

Strawberry Blonde is a unique variety of sunflower that produces stunning flowers with a combination of pink, peach, and yellow tones. The flowers can grow up to 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) in diameter and have a dark center, making them a striking addition to any garden or landscape. Strawberry Blonde sunflowers typically grow to a height of around 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters), and they are generally easy to grow and care for.

Skyscraper

Skyscraper is an enormous variety of sunflowers that can grow up to 12-14 feet (3.7-4.3 meters) tall, according to Country Living, making it one of the tallest sunflowers available. The flowers can grow up to 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) in diameter, with a bright yellow color and a dark center. Skyscraper sunflowers are often used for ornamental purposes and can add a lot of drama and height to any garden or landscape.

Italian White

Italian White sunflower is a variety of sunflower that produces stunning, pure white flowers with a dark center. These flowers can grow up to 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) in diameter and are an elegant addition to any garden or landscape. Italian White sunflowers typically grow to around 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters) and are generally easy to grow and care for.

Chianti

Chianti sunflowers are a variety of sunflowers known for their deep burgundy-red petals and dark center disk. The flowers can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, and the plants can reach a height of around 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters). Chianti sunflowers are generally easy to grow and care for and make a striking addition to any garden or landscape.

Dwarf Sunspot

Dwarf Sunspot is a popular dwarf sunflower that grows up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and produces large, bright yellow flowers that can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. The flower heads are high on sturdy stems, making them great for cutting flowers.

Dwarf Sunspot sunflowers are easy to grow and are a great choice for container gardens, small spaces, or as borders in your garden. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate some shade and drought conditions.

Primrose

Primrose is a variety of dwarf sunflower that grows up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall with beautiful yellow flowers about 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) in diameter. The petals of the flowers are a bright yellow, while the center disk is dark brown.

Primrose sunflowers are easy to grow and are a great choice for container gardens, small spaces, or as borders in your garden. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate some shade and drought conditions.

Little Becka

Little Becka is a variety of dwarf sunflower that grows up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall with beautiful dark red flowers about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in diameter. The flowers have dark brown centers and are on sturdy stems, making them great for cut flowers.

Little Becka sunflowers are easy to grow and are a great choice for container gardens, small spaces, or as borders in your garden. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate some shade and drought conditions.

Pacino

Pacino is a variety of dwarf sunflower that grows up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall with beautiful yellow flowers about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in diameter. The flowers have dark centers and are borne on sturdy stems, making them great for cut flowers.

Pacino sunflowers are easy to grow and are a great choice for container gardens, small spaces, or as borders in your garden. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate some shade and drought conditions.