Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

common name: 
common sunflower, annual sunflower
 | 
scientific name: 
Helianthus
 
annuus
The yellow blooms of an annual common sunflower during the summer with the sky blue background

Common sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are iconic warm-season annuals valued for their bold flowers, wildlife benefits, and versatility in the landscape.

Image Creadit: 

Common sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are fast-growing, warm-season annuals that bring height, structure, and bold color to gardens and landscapes. They thrive in full sun and adapt well to a wide range of soil types, provided drainage is adequate. Once established, sunflowers are relatively drought tolerant and require minimal management. Their large flower heads are highly attractive to pollinators during bloom and later provide an important food source for birds as seeds mature.

Charecteristics
Plant type: 
Annual
Hardiness Zones: 
2, 3, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Light Needs: 
Full Sun
Water Needs: 
Moist
Space Requirements: 
3–6 feet
Height Requirements: 
6– 0 feet
Spread Requirements: 
3–4 feet
Bloom Color: 
Yellow
Bloom Time: 
Summer
Leaf Color: 
Green
Wildlife Attraction: 
Birds
Companion Plant Tolerance: 
Drought
Uses: 
Annual
Varieties
‘Lemonade’ sunflower’s fully double bright lemon-yellow blooms
'Lemonade'

‘Lemonade’ is a pollenless sunflower producing fully double bright lemon-yellow blooms on sturdy, upright stems that typically reach 5–6 feet tall. Its uniform height and flowers make it well suited for cut flower production as well as bold seasonal landscape displays.

 

Big Smile dwarf sunflower with bright golden-yellow blooms with a black centers
'Big Smile'

‘Big Smile’ is a compact, dwarf sunflower that grows 12–18 inches tall, featuring bright golden-yellow blooms with a black center. Its small stature makes it ideal for containers, borders, and gardens with limited space. Day neutral. Branching. Bears pollen.

 

SunFill™ Purple sunflower blooms that are green at the center, fading to purple
'SunFill™ Purple'

'SunFill™ Purple' is a pollenless sunflower grown primarily for cut flower use, producing large blooms that are green at the center, fading to purple, on strong stems that reach 4–5 feet tall. Its uniform growth and bold coloration add ornamental interest to both gardens and floral arrangements.

 

‘SunFill™ Green’ sunflower with bright green blooms
'SunFill™ Green'

'SunFill™ Green' is a pollenless sunflower variety featuring unique bright green blooms on upright plants growing 4–5 feet tall. It is especially valued for floral design, where its unusual color adds texture and contrast.

 

‘Concert Bell F1’ sunflower with multiple golden yellow blooms
‘Concert Bell F1’

‘Concert Bell F1’ is a branching sunflower hybrid that typically reaches 4–6 feet tall, producing multiple clusters of 10 to 12 medium-sized golden yellow blooms over an extended period. Its branching habit provides longer seasonal interest in garden beds and mixed plantings.