How to Grow Sunflower Mazes

While sunflowers grow tall enough for a maze, they may be unsuitable because their heads droop early, which isn't attractive for a maze, according to a 2001 study by researchers at North Carolina State University. In a 2002 study, however, researchers planted seeds late in July so the maze would bloom in peak maze season (autumn). Unfortunately, the plants didn't grow tall enough for a maze. Growing a sunflower maze is a challenge unless you are comfortable with the messy look. The trick to a successful maze is masking the paths.

Sunflower seeds
Sunhemp seeds
String
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Choose the seeds for your sunflower maze. While the NC State University study found no difference in the germination percentages between oil and confectionary seed varieties, you'll still want to pick a seed that suits the height of the maze you want to make. For a really tall maze, use the Giant Gray Stripe (12 feet) or Paul Bunyan (13 to 15 feet) varieties. Shorter varieties include Velvet Queen (4 to 6 feet), Lemon Queen (7 to 8 feet) and the smallest, Elf (1 to 2 feet).
- 2
  Add seeds from the shorter varieties or sunhemp seeds to add density to your maze walls. Plan to have a maze wall with the tallest plants on the outside and two more rows of increasingly shorter plants.
- 3
  Draw a circle in your garden with string. Make different pathways to get to the center of the circle, some reaching a dead end and others proceeding to new paths. Dig three small trenches along the outside of each string path.
- 4
  Plant the outside ring with your largest sunflower seed variety. Plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep and 6 inches apart. Repeat for the inside two rows of flowers along the string. Water and wait for your maze to grow.

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