Expert Advice on Growing Reblooming Sunflowers for Pollinators and Beautiful Arrangements
Sunflowers are the quintessential symbol of summer, their bright yellow faces bringing warmth and cheer to any garden. While classic sunflowers are always a favorite, there’s something truly magical about reblooming varieties. Over the past few years, I’ve fallen in love with these off-the-beaten-path sunflowers, and they’ve completely transformed my garden. Not only do they brighten up the landscape, but they also provide lasting benefits for pollinators like bees and butterflies, attract delightful birds, and make stunning additions to bouquets.
The Joy of Reblooming Sunflowers
Unlike traditional sunflowers, which bloom for a few short weeks, reblooming sunflowers such as the annual silverleaf sunflower (Helianthus argophyllus) and beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) offer months of vibrant blooms. These varieties are just as easy to grow as common sunflowers, but they come with the added benefit of producing an abundance of flowers that bloom well into the fall, often until the first frost.
The saucer-sized blooms of these sunflowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies, offering a rich source of nectar. The plants also have sturdy stems perfect for cutting, allowing gardeners to enjoy their beauty indoors. As the flowers mature and the seeds ripen, goldfinches, chickadees, and other birds flock to the garden to feast on the seeds, making these sunflowers a true wildlife haven.
Silverleaf Sunflowers: A Stunning Garden Addition
Native to the Gulf Coast of the United States, silverleaf sunflowers are an eye-catching variety with soft, silvery leaves covered in tiny hairs. These hairs help protect the plants from drought and deter feeding by insects and animals. The silvery foliage provides a striking contrast to the bright yellow flowers with dark chocolate-colored centers, which attract a wide array of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds.
Research has shown that the pollen from silverleaf sunflowers has health benefits for bees, especially honeybees and bumblebees. The pollen contains compounds that help fight off pathogens, promoting better overall health for these vital pollinators.
While the tallest silverleaf sunflowers can grow up to 12 feet (4 meters), they tend to have a sprawling, leaning growth habit. Adapted to hurricane-prone climates, silverleaf sunflowers often lean over in strong winds, but upright stems will continue to emerge from the main branches. To prevent the plants from toppling completely, it’s helpful to provide support in the form of fences, trellises, or cages. Even if a few branches break, don’t worry—these plants seem to thrive when pruned by natural forces like strong winds.
Beach Sunflowers: A Bird’s Paradise
Beach sunflowers, also known as dune sunflowers or cucumberleaf sunflowers (Helianthus debilis), are another fantastic option for your garden. These plants are native to the southeastern coastal regions of the United States and are well-suited to withstand humid heat, salt spray, and poor soil conditions. They require minimal maintenance, making them perfect for gardeners who want a low-maintenance, bird-friendly garden.
The cucumberleaf subspecies, in particular, has distinctive ragged-edged leaves and blooms profusely for up to three months. The bright yellow flowers are a constant source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while the seeds attract a variety of birds, including finches and sparrows.
In addition to the traditional beach sunflower variety, newer cultivars offer unique flower colors and growth habits. For example, Vanilla Ice is a variety that produces creamy white flowers and reaches about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. It blooms continuously from midsummer to fall, offering vibrant color throughout the season. If you’re looking for even more variety, the Soluna series of beach sunflowers features shades ranging from lemon yellow to rusty bronze, and these compact plants top out at around 4 feet (1.2 meters), making them perfect for bouquets.
Growing Tips for Reblooming Sunflowers
Reblooming sunflowers, like most annual sunflowers, are warm-season plants that cannot tolerate frost. To get a jump start on the growing season, start your sunflower seeds indoors about three weeks before your last expected frost date. This gives the seedlings a head start and ensures they’ll be ready to be planted outdoors once the weather warms up.
If you’re growing your sunflowers in containers, be sure to use large pots with good drainage, as these plants require plenty of space for their roots to spread. Once the seedlings are ready to be planted outdoors, wait until the soil has warmed up and there’s no danger of frost.
To encourage a bushier, more robust plant, pinch off the first few buds as soon as they open. This will promote branching, resulting in more flowers over time. As the sunflowers grow, they may need some support, especially if they are growing in windy areas or are prone to leaning. Consider using a stake, trellis, or a cage to keep them upright.
Saving Seeds for Next Year
If you want to save seeds from your reblooming sunflowers, be aware that silverleaf sunflowers can cross-pollinate with common sunflowers. To ensure you save true-to-type seeds, wait until the end of the growing season, after the petals have fallen and the seeds have fully ripened. To protect the seeds from birds, tie small paper bags over the flower heads and wait until the stems turn brown before harvesting them. Allow the seeds to finish drying in paper bags indoors before storing them for the next growing season.
Whether you’re growing them for their beauty, their benefits to pollinators, or their ability to attract birds, reblooming sunflowers are a versatile and rewarding addition to any garden. With their vibrant blooms and long-lasting appeal, these sunflowers will bring joy to your garden throughout the summer and into the fall, all while providing vital resources for the creatures that depend on them.