The common sunflower, Helianthus annuus, is a North American native and makes a great fall display in almost any garden.
Sunflowers are heliotropic, which means the flower buds follow the sun from east to west until they produce yellow petals. At that time, they remain facing east. Breeding programs have resulted in a variety of sizes and colors that make excellent cut flowers, seed for wildlife or a tasty snack.
Sunflowers are very low-maintenance plants, but require full sun and well-drained soil. There are two types grown. Oilseed is a small black seed very high in oil content, so it is processed into oil and meal. It also is the seed of choice for most bird feeders. Non-oilseed (confectionery sunflower) has a larger, black-and-white striped seed that is used in a variety of food products, from snacks to bread.
To harvest sunflowers as cut flowers, wait until the flower is almost completely open. Cut it in the morning when the head is free of dew, then strip off the leaves and place the stems in sterile water. If kept in a cool, shady location, they should last for seven to 10 days.
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