Traditional sunflowers (Helianthus annus) tower above other flowers reaching heights of 10 feet or more and are well suited as backdrops to garden beds. Mini or dwarf sunflowers, however, are right at home in the middle or front of gardens. These attractive miniatures resemble their taller cousins and sport a variety of flower shapes and colors. Planting a variety of mini sunflowers brings your summer and fall garden to life with sizzling color that ranges from yellow to orange, red and maroon.
Till a garden area for sunflowers in a sunny location that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day.
Add a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure to the site and work it into the soil with a garden tiller or hand tools. This provides the nutrients your sunflowers need to get started, improves aeration and promotes good drainage.
Plant your mini sunflowers seeds to a depth of one-half inch spaced 4 to 6 inches apart once the danger of frost has passed in your area and the soil has warmed to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds are slow to germinate at lower temperatures with optimal germination occurring at 70 F.
Water to wet the soil to one-half inch and keep the area moist until seedlings emerge in 10 to 14 days, depending on the soil temperature.
Mulch with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as grass clippings or leaf mold, to control weeds and conserve water.
Sidedress with one-half to 1 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer every three weeks by sprinkling the granules along the row and working it into the soil with a hoe.
Water your mini sunflowers deeply to saturate the soil to their roots once or twice a week. Although they are drought tolerant, they perform best when given supplemental water.
Things You Will Need
- Garden tiller
- Compost or manure
- Organic mulch
- Fertilizer, 10-10-10
- Plant midsize dwarf sunflowers that grow to heights of 3 feet, such as “Teddy Bear,” “Solar Flash” and “Bashful,” in the middle of the garden bed. Add sunflowers that grow to heights of 12 to 24 inches, such as “Sundance Kid,” “Elf” and “Big Smile,” in the front of the garden.
- Sunflowers typically face east when mature. Plant them on the northern or western side of your property so you can see them when they bloom.
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