• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

A Closer Look at Sunflowers

Cheery sunflowers can be found growing in home gardens and farm fields. Take some time to enjoy the beauty and fine details of this North American native plant.

What we call the flower is actually made of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers. The large petals are in fact infertile ray flowers that do not develop into seeds. The center consists of disk flowers that develop into seeds after pollination.

Double sunflower varieties have more petal-like ray flowers, making them an eye-catching addition to the garden and bouquets. But there will be less nectar for pollinators and fewer seeds for you, the birds, and squirrels to enjoy.

While you wait for the tasty harvest, watch your sunflowers track the sun. This characteristic, known as heliotropism, occurs in most sunflowers. The tracking stops when the flowers are fully developed, leaving them facing east.

A bit more information: You may find sunflowers growing with other plants as a cover crop. They help attract beneficial insects and feed the birds. Their deep roots help improve the soil when included in a cover crop mix.

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens

Register here

Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI

Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants

Register here

Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

Register here

Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants

Register here

March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs

Register here

March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here


March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation

Register here

March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A

Register here

April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here


April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here


May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here


May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win 3 Collections of Longfield Gardens
Dahlia Bulbs

ENTER NOW