Ornamental sunflowers are one of the most vibrant and beautiful flowers that can be grown in home gardens. While most people are familiar with the large sunflower heads produced by domesticated cultivars, there is a wide variety of these sunflowers that offer unique blooms, foliage, and heights. Some produce delicate blooms in shades like lemon, apricot, sunset orange or rusty red instead of the traditional bright yellow.

Types of Ornamental Sunflowers

There are many different types of these sunflowers to choose from when planting a garden. Two main categories are annual and perennial varieties:

Ornamental sunflower produce blooms in a single season from seeds and include taller varieties like 'Mammoth' as well as smaller bush types. Hybrid cuts like 'Lemon Queen' and 'Vanilla Ice' feature unique pastel colors.

- Perennial sunflowers can return year after year and come in a range of sizes. 'Prairie Sun' is a shorter variety while 'Perlindaba' has cascading blooms up to 6 feet tall. 'Hopi Red Dye' is grown for its vibrant red seed heads.

Beyond these categories, other types include species sunflowers which resemble wild varieties, filler flower types with dual-purpose ornamental blooms and greenery, and unique selections like 'Moonshine' with bright yellow petals and contrasting burgundy centers.

Cultivation and Care of Ornamental Sunflowers

Proper cultivation and care is needed to ensure these sunflowers thrive and produce their colorful displays. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil. Annuals can be direct seeded outdoors after danger of frost has passed while perennials are often started indoors first to be transplanted later. Staking may be needed for taller kinds prone to flopping.

Watering should be deep and infrequent, avoiding wet foliage. Fertilizer every few weeks during growth can boost larger blooms. Deadheading spent flowers encourages reblooming in some perennial types and prevents seed formation in annuals. Cut back dried stalks in fall for tidier dormancy over winter. With these basics, these sunflowers are fairly low maintenance additions to gardens.

Design Ideas with Ornamental Sunflowers

The varied forms, sizes, and colors of these sunflowers make them incredibly versatile for creative garden designs and arrangements. Taller varieties can be massed as dramatic focal points or used as background plants paired with shorter perennials and annuals. Bushy types make excellent border plants, bedding options, or novel accents in containers.
 

For cottage garden vibes, surrounding a bench with a rainbow of petite blooms is charming. Interplanting sunflowers of complementary hues results in picturesque profusions of color. Cut stems also make lovely seasonal bouquets. With imagination, these sunflowers bring beauty, texture, and seasonal interest to any outdoor space.

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