If you love the bright yellow sunflowers, you don't have to be satisfied with the annual species - there is a whole range of perennial varieties, which are also known as perennial sunflowers. Although their sunny flowers are significantly smaller than those of the annual forms, they appear all the more numerous. Once planted, all species are extremely easy to care for and will give you many years of pleasure.

The perennial sunflower comes back every year

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. appearance and growth
  3. use
  4. leaves
  5. flowers and flowering time
  6. fruit
  7. toxicity
  8. Which location is suitable?
  9. floor
  10. planting / sowing
  11. watering and fertilizing
  12. Properly cut perennial sunflowers
  13. Propagating perennial sunflowers
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    All of the approximately 67 known sunflower species are native to both North and Central America from Mexico to Canada, with each variety having its specific natural range. The genus of sunflowers (bot. Helianthus) belongs to the daisy family (bot. Asteraceae) and is particularly popular because of its bright yellow, multi-rayed flower heads.

    appearance and growth

    Perennial sunflowers form numerous, upright and rather thin stalks on which the numerous flowers are located. The growth height varies depending on the species and variety - while some of the perennial species can grow up to 300 centimeters high, others just reach a height of 100 to 120 centimeters. However, the highly branched and thickened rootstock, from which further shoots sprout in most species, is typical. Perennial sunflowers usually grow in clumps and form more or less numerous runners.

    use

    All types of perennial sunflowers are valuable forage plants for bees and other insects, even if they are often otherwise sterile hybrid varieties. Depending on the growth height and width, some species are very suitable for planting in large areas, while others are more effective as solitaires. The flowering plants adorn mixed or pure perennial beds or borders, can be used as bed borders, as privacy screens or as shrub border plants. The bright yellow flowers look particularly striking as a background planting in front of other perennials with blue, violet or red flowers such as delphinium, Indian nettle or fragrant nettle, monkshood, yarrow, chrysanthemum or aster. Low-growing varieties can also be cultivated in tubs and can therefore also be found on the balcony or terrace.

    leaves

    Depending on the type and variety, the leaves of the perennial sunflower have a different appearance. The most common form is the same as that of the annual species: serrate or entire, ovate and large leaves with rough undersides. However, there are other forms such as the narrow leaves of the willow-leaved sunflower. In some species the foliage is only basal on the stem, in others they are distributed over the entire stem. All summer flowers are deciduous.

    flowers and flowering time

    The flowers of the perennial herbaceous sunflower are similar to those of the annual species, but the lemon to golden yellow ray flowers are usually much smaller. However, the perennial varieties not only form one, but very numerous flowers. These can be simple in structure - with the characteristic darker center - but also semi-filled or filled. Most varieties flower in late summer between August and September, but some show their splendor until the first frost in October or even November.

    fruit

    Like their annual relatives, perennial sunflowers produce edible sunflower seeds. However, this does not apply to all species, because many cultivars are sterile and therefore develop neither fruit nor seeds.

    toxicity

    All Helianthus species are non-toxic.

    Which location is suitable?

    Perennial sunflowers bloom best in full sun, warm and sheltered. The following applies to these plants: the more sun, the better - because if it is too dark, only a few flowers will form.

    floor

    Basically, perennial sunflowers do well in a location with nutrient-rich, humus-rich, sandy-loamy and well-drained garden soil, as long as it is not too heavy and has a neutral to alkaline pH value. However, there are different preferences for the different species with regard to the moisture of the subsoil: some prefer a rather dry soil, while others prefer a fresh to moderately moist one. However, all species tolerate drought quite well.

    planting / sowing

    You can grow young plants on your windowsill at home from late winter and plant them out in the bed after the ice saints. At around 20 degrees Celsius, the seeds germinate quite irregularly within seven to 21 days. Be sure to keep the recommended planting distance for both self-grown plants and seedlings - this is between 80 and 100 centimeters depending on the species and variety. Mix the excavation with plenty of compost and then water the freshly planted perennials vigorously. It is also advisable to bury support rods so that the tall stems do not bend or break off.

    watering and fertilizing

    Although perennial sunflowers are quite drought tolerant, you should not let them dry out. Provide them with plenty of water, especially during hot and dry phases, but avoid getting wet or even waterlogged. Fertilizing with mineral or nitrogen-rich fertilizers makes little sense, as this has a negative effect on flowering. Instead, provide the perennials with plenty of compost in early spring and a second time in June.

    Properly cut perennial sunflowers

    Since some varieties like to self-seed, you should remove faded stems as soon as possible. This also has the advantage that the cut provokes a longer flowering phase. Some species should also be cut back to the ground in autumn or spring, as they will sprout again from the rhizomes.

    Propagating perennial sunflowers

    Perennial sunflowers can be easily propagated both by seeds and by cuttings cut in early summer. In addition, the clumpy growing plants should be divided about every three to five years - this primarily serves to rejuvenate them and ensures lush flowers.

    hibernate

    Although perennial sunflowers are hardy, they should be protected from frost during the cold season with a cover in the form of brushwood or something similar. The rhizomes - i.e. the overwintering organs of the perennial - are located very close to the surface of the earth and are therefore endangered by ground frost.

    diseases and pests

    Perennial sunflowers are hardy garden plants that are rarely attacked by disease or pests. Powdery mildew can become a problem, especially with large-leaved species.

    tips

    In addition, the always hungry snails like the juicy foliage of young plants. A snail protection is therefore important.

    species and varieties

    In contrast to the annual sunflower species Helianthus annuus and Helianthus uniflorus, the perennial sunflower is a perennial representative of this attractive flowering plant genus. However, this is not a single species, because there are a whole range of different varieties for the home garden. Even if these differ in many external characteristics, they all impress with a rich and long-lasting bloom. The following types are particularly popular:

    Perennial sunflower (bot. Helianthus atrorubens)

    This expansive and bushy growing species forms inflorescences up to 180 centimeters high and can be up to 100 centimeters wide. The flower cups, measuring more than ten centimeters in diameter, delight the viewer with their bright yellow pile between the beginning of August and September. Helianthus atrorubens should be planted in groups with a maximum of two plants per square meter in the garden and is particularly suitable for planting larger open spaces as well as bed and woodland edges. You can also use the long stems for flower arrangements - for example in the vase. Particularly beautiful varieties are, for example:

    • 'Giganteus': imposing, spreading, sterile
    • 'Monarch': bushy growth, clump-forming, sterile, luxuriantly flowering

    Narrow-leaved sunflower (bot. Helianthus decapetalus)

    This is probably the sunflower species with the most cultivars. Helianthus decapetalus convinces with a dense, clumpy growth, up to 180 centimeters high flower stalks and flower heads measuring twelve centimeters on average. Plant the species in humus rich, not too dry soil. The most beautiful varieties for the garden are:

    • 'Capenoch Star': up to 180 centimeters high, upright habit, light yellow flowers, runners
    • 'Loddon Gold': golden yellow, filled flower balls, height of growth up to 140 centimetres
    • 'Meteor': semi-double, plate-shaped flowers with a darker center, height of growth up to 180 centimetres
    • 'Soleil d'Or': large, deep yellow and filled flower balls, height of growth up to 160 centimetres
    • 'Triomphe de Gand': large, light yellow, plate-shaped flowers with a darker center, height of growth up to 150 centimetres

    Giant sunflower (bot. Helianthus giganteus)

    The largest sunflower species develops flower heads that are up to 300 centimeters high and only show their blooms late between September and the first frost. Plant the species, which reproduces by numerous stolons, with plenty of space - a maximum of one plant per square meter is recommended. One of the prettiest varieties is 'Sheila's Sunshine' with its light, cream-colored flower heads.

    Small-flowered or small-headed sunflower (bot. Helianthus microcephalus)

    This species grows loosely branched and - in contrast to other perennial sunflowers - does not tend to proliferate. It forms small but very numerous flowers that unfold their splendor between August and September. The species needs a nutrient-rich, humus-rich and rather fresh soil. Here, too, there are many interesting cultivars for the gardener:

    • 'Anne': lemon-yellow flowers with red tips, unusually wide petals, flowering begins as early as July
    • 'Carine': very light, delicate yellow flowers, lush flowering, long-lasting flowers, height of growth up to 180 centimetres
    • 'Lemon Queen': lemon-yellow, very lush and long-lasting flowers, height of growth up to 180 centimeters

    Hairy sunflower (bot. Helianthus mollis)

    Between August and September, the hairy sunflower - which owes its name to the rough hairs on the stem and leaves - delights with numerous, multi-rayed bright lemon-yellow flower heads. The species grows up to 120 centimeters high and forms dense clumps. Plant them in well-drained and rather dry to moist soil.

    Willow-leaved sunflower (bot. Helianthus salicifolius var. orgyalis)

    The willow-leaved sunflower, which grows up to 300 centimeters high - sometimes also called fathom-long because of its tall growth - is mainly cultivated for its distinctive, deep green leaves. In addition, the ornamental leaf perennial shows numerous small, bright yellow flower heads from September until the first frost. The attractive solitary perennial, which grows up to 200 centimeters wide, feels most comfortable in humus-rich, rather dry soil.

    Jerusalem Artichoke (bot. Helianthus tuberosus, also Indian tuber)

    Many people may know Jerusalem artichokes from well-stocked supermarkets, because the brown tuber is a very healthy winter vegetable. On the other hand, it is probably less well known that these are the root tubers of a sunflower species. Helianthus tuberosus, also known as Indian tuber, grows up to 300 centimeters high and blooms with bright yellow flower heads between September and November. Like all sunflowers, this very bee-friendly species prefers a rather moist but well-drained soil.

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Vegetable garden