Types of Sunflowers

Varities

• The breeding of sunflowers has resulted in many varieties. While many love the tall and towering sunflower plant, smaller and shorter varieties have recently become popular. The newer varieties have names that aptly describe their blooms: Sunrich Lemon has a very lemon-colored flower; Teddy Bear has soft, fluffy, pom-pom like flowers; and Velvet Queen has velvety-red flowers.

Munchkin Series

• Munchkin Sunflowers, or Compact Sunflowers, are small, or dwarf, sunflowers. They are perfect for areas where space is limited. They will not obstruct or block the view of a backyard.

White Sunflowers

• Most sunflower heads are bright yellow in color. New varieties include an almost all-white version. One such variety is the Valentine Sunflower, which is an extremely pale lemon flower with a very dark center (see Resources).

Ring of Fire and Moulin Rouge

• The Ring of Fire sunflower is a smaller sunflower, growing just up to three feet in height. The flowers are a medium yellow with a dark yellow center that is circled with a read ring. The Moulin Rouge sunflower is a striking red flower with a deep black center. It can grow from four to seven feet in height.

Big Smile

• The Big Smile sunflower is extra small. It boasts very large flowers with very large centers. Many of these sunflowers have multiple blooms. They are a bright gold-yellow color and only grow to two feet tall.

A Rainbow of Sunflowers

• New varieties now come in myriad colors and shades. These include the Indian Basket, Lemon Eclair, Inferno, Terra Cotta, Petite Pastel, Autumn Beauty, Ikarus, The Joker and Moonbright. These will grow from three feet seven feet.

Fact

• The sunflower was found in Peru by Francisco Pizarro, where native Incas worshiped the plant, believing it to be a symbol of the sun god.