Can Jerusalem Artichokes & Sunflowers Grow Together?

Sunchokes

• Jerusalem artichokes are perennial plants that grow to a mature height of 5 to 10 feet. They are bushy plants with multiple branches and rough-textured 5- to 10-inch-long medium green leaves. While they are generally grown for their edible tubers, they do add floral interest with 3- to 4-inch-diameter bright yellow flowers from late summer to early autumn. The knobby tuberous roots are 1 to 4 inches long and can be harvested four to five months after planting. They have a sweeter flavor when they are harvested after the first frost.

Growing Sunchokes

• Jerusalem artichokes spread vigorously with shallow roots and are likely to choke out plants growing near them. Place a 2-foot deep-wood, metal or brick barrier around the planting location to contain them. A sunny location is preferred, but they will grow in partial shade. Plant them in loose soil with an acidic pH of 5.8 to 6.2. Till the soil prior to planting to ensure it is loose and drains well. Mix compost or sand into the soil before planting to improve nutrient levels and drainage. Plant them when the soil is 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or two to three weeks before the last expected frost. Plant them 2 to 6 inches deep and 1 to 1 1/2 feet apart, with 3 feet between multiple rows. Water them once or twice per week during the growing season.

Sunflowers

• Sunflowers are annual plants that generally grow to between 8 and 15 feet tall, although some cultivars stay shorter. The Teddy Bear cultivar grows to only 3 feet tall. They usually put up a single thick stalk with large oval- or heart-shaped and rough-textured medium green leaves, but the Holiday cultivar has multiple branches. Most varieties produce one 8- to 12-inch-diameter flower per stalk. Sunflower seeds are produced on the large center flower disk. The most commonly known sunflowers have yellow petals with brown center disks, but many hybrid cultivars have different flower colors. Velvet Queen has burgundy or maroon flowers, while Italian White has white flowers with black centers. Evening Sun cultivars bloom in light yellow, bright orange, russet or burgundy-pink.

Growing Sunflowers

• Plant sunflowers in full sun in soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH of 7 or above. Add lime to acidic soil prior to planting sunflowers. Work some well-aged manure into the soil before planting to improve soil fertility. A balanced fertilizer may be mixed into the soil instead of manure. Sow the seeds directly in the garden after the last expected spring frost. You may also start them indoors one to two weeks before the last expected frost then transplant them outside. Plant them 1 foot apart with multiple rows spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Water them once or twice a week throughout the season.