Description
Helianthus annuus | Common Sunflower ‘Evening Sun’
The sunflower genus includes around 70 species, of which Helianthus annuus (Common Sunflower) is the most common in the average garden.
The ‘Evening Sun’ sunflower is an easy to grow towering annual with a thick, stiff, coarsely hairy stem, alternating leaves that are wider at the base than at the top, and gorgeous 4″-6″ autumn-colored flower heads with dark centers. Rich tones of vivid gold, autumn orange, warm mahogany, and blazing bronze are all on one plant for months! Plus each stem is branched, so produces multiple blooms. These plants grow nearly as tall as the giants do, reaching 7-10′ tall! Being a multi-branched variety, this sunflower makes an excellent living barrier or wind break, and it is one of the longest blooming, flowering from July to autumn. It was the sunflower to put out the first flower and it also put out the last.
Sunflowers have one of the most aggressive root systems known, capable of drilling down through hard-pan or clay. They work great to pulverize a hard spot in the raised beds or flower bed, making it perfect for next season. Will tolerate drought and poor soil, but performs much better with soil amendments and extra water.
All kinds of birds, bees, beetles, butterflies, and a myriad of other pollinators are attracted to sunflowers. They may be used as a trap crop, attracting sucking insects like the stink bug and leaf-footed bug away from other edible garden crops, like tomatoes and peppers. Once the seeds are mature (or even before), finches, jays, and other birds will start snacking on them. so you will need to harvest the flower heads before they do!
This is most definitely one of our favorite sunflower varieties.
Type: Annual
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 7-10 ft
Mature width: 3 ft
Hardiness zones: All (annual)
