If you want to save yourself the annual sowing of annual sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), you can plant sunflower perennials in the garden. They are perennial and mostly hardy. However, the seeds of these varieties are not suitable for consumption.

Sunflower perennials are usually slightly smaller than their annual relatives

Smaller flowers and not quite as tall

While annual sunflowers can grow to more than four meters with good care, perennials stay a little smaller.

The flowers don't get that big. In particular, the ring of tubular flowers in the middle, in which the nuclei develop, is usually quite small. Often a lot of flowers grow on one plant.

Most sunflower perennials are hardy

Perennial sunflowers grow in any garden soil that is not too compacted. Just like their annual relatives, they thrive particularly well in a sunny location.

The perennials are mostly hardy. But it makes sense to spread a mulch over the cut plants in autumn.

You have to dig up some non-hardy varieties in autumn and overwinter in a frost-free place.

Propagation by stolons and by division

Perennial sunflowers also propagate from seeds, but propagation works better by dividing the perennials or cutting off runners.

The roots of the perennials form many stolons, which sometimes even grow several meters away from the mother plant.

If you want to prevent the uncontrolled spread of perennial sunflowers, you should create a root barrier before planting.

Well-known perennial sunflowers at a glance

Surname botanical name color height heyday particularities
Perennial Sunflower Helianthus atrorubens Yellow, brown eye up to 180 cm August to September insect pasture
meteor Helianthus decapetalus Golden yellow, yellow eye up to 170 cm August to October semi-double flower
Soleil d'or Helianthus decapetalus Supreme Lemon yellow, golden yellow eye up to 170 cm August to October double flower
Sheila's Sunshine Helianthus giganteus Light cream yellow, dark yellow eye up to 300 cm September to November late variety
LemonQueen Helianthus Microcephalus Hybrid Lemon yellow, yellowish-brown eye up to 170 cm August to September rich flowering
Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberosus Yellow, brown eye up to 250 cm September to November edible tubers

tips and tricks

Jerusalem artichoke is valued as a winter vegetable for its potato-like tubers. This sunflower perennial is indestructible and spreads rapidly throughout the garden.

Category:

Vegetable garden