Sunflower Varieties

Mammoth

• The mammoth variety is one of the better known sunflowers. The blossoms are golden yellow and oversized, often reaching heights of 10 feet. Mammoth sunflowers grow as single flowers per stem, and bloom once during the summer months. They are often used for sunflower seed production.

Autumn Beauty

• The autumn beauty is an ornamental sunflower that blooms in red, orange and yellow shades. The center of the bloom is comprised of a dark smooth disk that may appear lighter around the edges. Autumn beauties are typically 4 to 6 inches in width and reach heights between 4 and 6 inches as well. They blossom with multiple flowers on each branched stem and are often used in bouquets as a result.

Moonbright

• The moonbright sunflower produces lemon yellow blooms that have dark centers and wide petals. They grow to approximately 4- to 5-feet tall and may measure between 4 and 6 inches across. The moonbright is a pollenless variety, so it is often used for cutting.

Red Sun

• The red sun variety of sunflower is unusual for its crimson colored flowers. These sunflowers typically reach heights of 8 feet, and their petals have a soft, velvety texture. The center of a red sun is usually brownish-black with a gold tint. They blossom as multiple blooms on branched stems and are often used for cutting.

Sunny Smile

• The sunny smile is a dwarf variety of sunflower. It blossoms with amber colored blooms and reaches heights of 15 inches. The sunny smile is a pollenless variety, which makes it ideal for growing indoors. When grown in a container, it typically only generates one large bloom but may grow as many as four or five when planted outdoors.

Teddy Bear

• Teddy bear sunflowers also belong to the dwarf variety, reaching heights of approximately 16 inches. Unlike other varieties, however, teddy bear sunflowers have distinct pom-pom like petals that are typically gold in color. They produce multiple blooms and have fluffy yellow disk flowers in their center instead of a dark disk. However, these disk flowers do not generate seeds or pollen. Because of their unusual appearance, Teddy bear sunflowers are often used in specialty floral arrangements.

The Joker

• The Joker is one of the most individual sunflower varieties because it is a bicolor flower. It has a dark red center that is surrounded by yellow tipped petals. Joker sunflowers may reach heights of approximately 6 to 7 inches and widths of 6 to 8 inches. They are often the earliest blooming sunflower, usually blossoming sometime in July.