My 4 year old son is obsessed with sunflowers, and I'd like to grow some this year for him. I'm thinking of doing 2 varieties, a branching smaller variety, and a larger upright variety, but not one of the giant 10 footers. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Oh, plant some of the 10' tall ones in a circle to make a teepee. Just remember to leave space for a 'door' He would love playing in there. Helianthus annuus 'Choco Sun' only grows about 12 inches tall and would be great in a container just the right size for him to plant, water and enjoy. Helianthus annuus 'Double Dandy' is a dark red bloom that grows to be 2'-3' tall. Helianthus annuus 'Peach Passion' is a peach colored bloom about 5' feet tall Helianthus annuus 'Chianti' is a really dark red about 5' tall. Many garden centers have a wide variety of Sunflower seeds available, why not take your son to one or two and let him pick out his own seeds. He will choose by color and will really enjoy watching 'His' plants grow.
Toni I love the teepee idea!!! Years ago I grew a really fuzzy fluffy one called "Teddy Bear" that would be cute for kids
Thanks for all of the suggestions, particularly about bringing my son to the garden center to shop for seeds, not sure why I didn't actually think of that!! Do I need to plant them soon? I'm in Toronto.
Plant them close to the last frost date for your area. a few days before will be fine. You don't want them to get frosted, that would kill them or go ahead and start putting seeds out a few weeks ahead, you never know how long of a growing season you will get and maybe get it started earlier than normal. You can cover them at nighttime if there is danger of frost, too.
