Mammoth Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
These giants won’t go unnoticed in your garden!
Indeed, mammoth sunflowers can grow over 3m in height, and they produce gorgeous yellow flowers that can reach more than 30 cm in diameter.
Despite their height, they do not require any tutoring. They can however be a tutor themselves for your other climbing plants such as beans!
Thanks to their fast growth, these sunflowers can also create seasonal plant walls, hedgerows and windbreaks.
The seeds are rich and can be enjoyed by birds as much as by humans!
CARE AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS : Towards the end of September, sunflower seeds start to reach maturity. The stem dries up and the flower starts to bend down. It’s time to harvest! Cut the entire flower heads. Let them dry in a dry space. Check regularly to make sure the sunflowers are not getting moldy. After a few days, the seeds will sound ‘hollow’ and ‘dry’ when running your fingers over them. You then only need to rub over to remove what’s left of the flowers, and scratch with your fingers to detach the seeds.
| Plant type: Annual |
| Flower color: Yellow |
| Quantity: Envelope of about 40 seeds |
| Exposure: Full sun |
| Soil: Rich |
| Watering: Undemanding |
| Sowing: Inside |
| Plantation: In the garden after the risk of frost |
| Days to maturity: 110 days |
| Germination: 5 à 14 jours |
| Plant spacing: 75 cm |
| Row spacing: 1 m |
| Depth: 1 cm to 2 cm |
| Width: 50 cm to 75 cm |
| Height: 2.5 à 3.5 m |
| Family: Asteraceae |
| Characteristic: Edible |