In the garden with GB News: Sunflowers - everything you need for a bright display in your home and garden

How to grow sunflowers

Those looking to grow sunflowers should plant now if they have not already, as the best time to start is during the spring months.

Plant in nutrient-rich soil in areas that are sheltered from the wind and rain, and where they will get plenty of sunlight, flower expert at Eflorist David Denyer explained.

He told GB News: “To start growing your sunflowers, it’s best to plant them between April and May, as this is when the sun starts to appear in the sky and the weather starts to improve - the ideal condition for the flowers to bloom.

“It’s also recommended to grow them in soil that is rich in nutrients, so if you’re buying compost, peat-free compost will work well."

Sunflowers need plenty of sunshine and to be watered regularly. David continued: "Sunflowers are a very simple flower to grow and care for, and they typically take up to 18 weeks to bloom, sometimes earlier.

"To grow sunflowers, all you need are your sunflower seeds, and an area in the garden that has access to the sun, as sunflowers need around eight hours of sunlight per day.

“It’s also important to ensure that they are sheltered from strong winds and heavy rain to prevent any damage to the seeds or petals.

“Ensuring they are properly watered is so important, as once they are dried out and wilting, they are very hard to revive, and you may need to start all over again."

Sunflowers are incredibly distinct thanks to their bright yellow petals and ability to grow up to four metres tall.

If you want tall sunflowers, it is better to plant in the ground, the expert continued.

He said: "You can grow your sunflowers in the ground or in a pot, but if you want a tall sunflower, it’s best to grow straight from the ground.

“As sunflowers are famously tall plants, it’s best to support the stems with stakes or wooden supports to stop the plant from dropping and falling to one side.

“Once your flowers are finished, you can even leave the heads on the plants to help support wildlife, as birds love to feast on these.”

Caring for sunflowers at home

Sunflowers make a lovely display inside your home and there are some ways to make them last longer in vases. The best way to ensure the longevity of your sunflowers is to pick the freshest plant to begin with, where it has a vibrant colour and is not wilting.

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Remove any excess leaves, especially under the flower head, and place them in a vase of clean, room-temperature water. Use flower food and change the water every few days. When replacing the water, give the plant an extra boost by trimming the stem.

Sunflowers care timeline

Spring

Planting: Plant sunflowers once the last frost is passed

Summer

Watering: Sunflowers need watering regularly and ensure they get around eight hours of sun a day

Autumn

Harvest seeds: As sunflowers start to die back, it is a good time to harvest sunflower seeds. These can be used for replanting.

Winter

Bring indoors: To help sunflowers survive in winter, you can bring indoors to a warm, bright and dry location.