Sunflower savvy
Got this in an email from Burpee which is right out of Warminster, PA (I've driven by the place. I have to make a point of taking a daytrip to see it sometime).
- Sunflowers can grow up to 12 inches a day during peak growing season.
- During growth stages, the sunflower heads face and follow the path of the sun.
- Once the flowers are fully open, most sunflowers face East.
- The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas.
- Kansas state motto is "The Sunflower State".
- Sunflowers are one of the easiest seeds to grow.
- The highest point in the Sunflower state of Kansas is called Mount Sunflower.
- The national flower of Russia is, you guessed it, the Sunflower.
- The Aztecs worshipped the Sunflower.
The SECRET to summer long sunflower blooms and fantastic cut sunflower displays is to follow the advice of the pros. Professional growers and cut flower specialists have practiced these simple but effective sunflower techniques for years. Try them in your gardens and we guarantee you’ll be amazed at the results!
1) Plant as many different varieties as possible. Different forms, colors and heights add visual interest in the garden and vase.
2) Stagger plantings over the early summer weeks, succession plantings will ensure that you have blooms all through the summer season and into the fall, and also that your sunflower gardens remain vibrant looking all season long. This is the single most important tip to follow!
3) For medium and large beds plant taller sunflowers at the rear of the bed and the shortest sunflowers near the front, medium height sunflowers go in the center of the bed.
4) As the name implies, sunflowers need lots of sun. Sunflowers grown in full sun have vibrant color, great foliage and strong stems.
5) When designing sunflower gardens, keep in mind that when mature, sunflower heads will almost always face East.
6) Cut spent blooms and plants. Spent blooms can weight down the plants, shading the still growing, remaining flowers. Also if the entire plant is spent, it's best to remove it- if you have followed our "staggered plantings" tip, there will be plenty of new plants to fill the spot. Hint: when removing old plants, do not pull them out, this could disturb the roots of neighboring sunflowers. Instead use a knife or shears to cut the stalk at the base.
7) Create a barrier or focal point with a hedgerow of tall sunflowers. Giant varieties reach heights of up to 15 feet! With their large leaves and bright yellow flowers, you will have an instant living fence in no time at all!
BURPEE'S TOP SUNFLOWERS FOR 2005
THE BIGGEST
American Giants– up to 14' tall with huge yellow flowers. During peak season, it can grow up to 10" a day! http://www.burpee.com/features/american_giants_tues.html
THE SHORTEST
Elf Sunflower- just over a foot tall with perfectly formed 4" yellow flowers on long blooming plants. Great for the front of the border and ideal for containers and windowsills.http://www.burpee.com/features/elf_tues.html
THE DEEPEST RED
Chianti Sunflower- as the name implies, the flowers are stunning deep wine red flecked with gold atop purplish branching stems. Just 4' tall.http://www.burpee.com/features/chianti_tues.html
VIEW ALL OUR SUNFLOWERS HEREhttp://www.burpee.com/features/sunflowers_tues.html
Fun & Happy Gardening,
Your friends at Burpee: http://www.burpee.com/
- Sunflowers can grow up to 12 inches a day during peak growing season.
- During growth stages, the sunflower heads face and follow the path of the sun.
- Once the flowers are fully open, most sunflowers face East.
- The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas.
- Kansas state motto is "The Sunflower State".
- Sunflowers are one of the easiest seeds to grow.
- The highest point in the Sunflower state of Kansas is called Mount Sunflower.
- The national flower of Russia is, you guessed it, the Sunflower.
- The Aztecs worshipped the Sunflower.
The SECRET to summer long sunflower blooms and fantastic cut sunflower displays is to follow the advice of the pros. Professional growers and cut flower specialists have practiced these simple but effective sunflower techniques for years. Try them in your gardens and we guarantee you’ll be amazed at the results!
1) Plant as many different varieties as possible. Different forms, colors and heights add visual interest in the garden and vase.
2) Stagger plantings over the early summer weeks, succession plantings will ensure that you have blooms all through the summer season and into the fall, and also that your sunflower gardens remain vibrant looking all season long. This is the single most important tip to follow!
3) For medium and large beds plant taller sunflowers at the rear of the bed and the shortest sunflowers near the front, medium height sunflowers go in the center of the bed.
4) As the name implies, sunflowers need lots of sun. Sunflowers grown in full sun have vibrant color, great foliage and strong stems.
5) When designing sunflower gardens, keep in mind that when mature, sunflower heads will almost always face East.
6) Cut spent blooms and plants. Spent blooms can weight down the plants, shading the still growing, remaining flowers. Also if the entire plant is spent, it's best to remove it- if you have followed our "staggered plantings" tip, there will be plenty of new plants to fill the spot. Hint: when removing old plants, do not pull them out, this could disturb the roots of neighboring sunflowers. Instead use a knife or shears to cut the stalk at the base.
7) Create a barrier or focal point with a hedgerow of tall sunflowers. Giant varieties reach heights of up to 15 feet! With their large leaves and bright yellow flowers, you will have an instant living fence in no time at all!
BURPEE'S TOP SUNFLOWERS FOR 2005
THE BIGGEST
American Giants– up to 14' tall with huge yellow flowers. During peak season, it can grow up to 10" a day! http://www.burpee.com/features/american_giants_tues.html
THE SHORTEST
Elf Sunflower- just over a foot tall with perfectly formed 4" yellow flowers on long blooming plants. Great for the front of the border and ideal for containers and windowsills.http://www.burpee.com/features/elf_tues.html
THE DEEPEST RED
Chianti Sunflower- as the name implies, the flowers are stunning deep wine red flecked with gold atop purplish branching stems. Just 4' tall.http://www.burpee.com/features/chianti_tues.html
VIEW ALL OUR SUNFLOWERS HEREhttp://www.burpee.com/features/sunflowers_tues.html
Fun & Happy Gardening,
Your friends at Burpee: http://www.burpee.com/
posted by Dianne @ 11:09 PM
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