Sunflowers are famous for their tall stems and bright, yellow blooms. Aside from the flower’s beauty, its seeds are highly nutritious. Although sunflowers grow best in full sun, they’re a tough plant and can withstand dry climates and most soil types. Beginner and experienced gardeners alike will enjoy the minimal care required to grow a sunflower from a seedling to full maturity.
Sunflowers bloom throughout the summer and early fall. You can read through the various phases of a sunflower’s life cycle to learn how to harvest and use sunflowers in everyday life. Gifting sunflowers, for example, is a great way to show a friend or loved one how much you care. The vibrant color of this well-known plant will surely brighten any room.
The sunflower goes through five stages during its life cycle. The germination phase begins the sunflower’s life. The vegetative phase then takes place when the plant grows leaves. Soon after, the reproductive phase occurs, and the bud of the flower forms. The blooming phase then follows, and the flower is fully grown. Once the season is over, you can harvest the seeds for personal use.
Once you plant your sunflower seeds, the germination phase of the flower’s life cycle will begin. This phase takes up to eight days. During germination, roots will develop from the seed and a shoot will push through the surface of the soil. The shoot is looking for sunlight because all plants need sunlight to grow. Germination usually occurs from mid-April to late-May, depending on when you plant your seeds.
After germination, the vegetative phase of the sunflower’s life cycle occurs. Your plant will still be a seedling for close to 13 days after it breaks through the soil. This initial part of the vegetative phase is called vegetative emergence.
Once the plant forms its first leaf that’s at least four centimeters long, the plant is officially in vegetative stage one (V1). When the plant grows two leaves that are at least four centimeters long, it progresses to vegetative stage two (V2), and so forth.
If you plant your sunflower in April or May, the vegetative phase will occur in May or early June.
The reproductive phase occurs when a bud forms between the plant’s cluster of leaves. The bud may initially have a star-like appearance, but once the reproductive phase is complete, you’ll see your bud transform into the tall stemmed, yellow bloomed plant you know so well.
It takes about thirty days for a sunflower to bloom. The reproductive phase will begin in June and end in July or August.
Once your sunflower is in full bloom, you’ll have around 20 days to enjoy the beauty of the flower. The blooming phase provides the opportunity for bees to pollinate the flower and fertilize the seeds. When the back of the sunflower head turns yellow, you’ll know the seeds are ripening.
The blooming phase is the best time to take advantage of your sunflower’s yellow blooms. You can put your flowers in a vase, gift them in a bouquet or make a wreath for the fall.
To harvest the seeds of your sunflower, wait until your sunflower droops and turns brown. Then, cut the stem leaving four inches from the head of the sunflower. You must store the sunflower head upside down in a dry and breathable bag.
Your seeds should be ready to harvest within 110 to 125 days after you planted the flower. This means that if you planted your seeds in May, your sunflower will die in early or mid-August and you should have ready-to-harvest seeds in late-August or September. Because sunflowers are annual plants, they must be replanted year after year.
Sunflowers are one of the most iconic flowers, with their big, bright yellow petals and tall stems that seem to follow the sun. Their cheery disposition makes them a favorite in gardens and flower arrangements. But when it comes to decorating, are sunflowers more of a summer or fall flower? The truth is their long blooming period allows them to shine in both seasons beautifully.
Sunflowers Typically Bloom From Mid-Summer Through Early Fall
Sunflowers are native to the Americas and come in a variety of sizes and colors. Most bloom during the summer months of June through August. However, depending on the variety, sunflowers can start blooming in early summer and continue right up until the first frost in fall.
This long bloom time makes sunflowers a fantastic transition flower between summer and fall So while they are very much a summer flower, they continue going strong into autumn as well.
Sunflowers Bring Summer Cheer Indoors and Out
With their big, bright flowers, sunflowers just scream summer. They remind us of sunshine, being outdoors, and the laidback feeling of the season Here are some ways to use sunflowers in summer decor
-
Place a vase of fresh cut sunflowers on your kitchen table or island The cheery blooms will bring summer spirit inside
-
Create a summer wreath for your front door using a straw base, sunflowers, greenery, and ribbon. Welcome guests with the flowers of the season.
-
Accent your mantel or shelves with a sunflower wreath or garland. The bold yellow looks fantastic against white walls.
-
Add sunflower stems to a galvanized bucket near your front door for a pretty summer display.
-
Use faux sunflowers in outdoor planters and pots for low maintenance color.
Sunflowers pair beautifully with other quintessential summer elements like lemons, berries, fruit, mason jars, burlap, and daisies.
Sunflowers Gracefully Transition into Fall
While sunflowers reach peak bloom in summer, they continue flowering into early autumn. This makes them a fantastic transitional flower before fall is in full swing. Here are some ways to incorporate sunflowers into your fall decor:
-
Create a fall floral arrangement by combining sunflowers with chrysanthemums, zinnias, and other fall favorites. The combo bridges the gap between summer and fall seamlessly.
-
Craft a centerpiece with sunflowers, mini pumpkins, leaves, acorns, and twine. The natural elements blend the seasons beautifully.
-
Add sunflower stems to your fall wreath along with autumn leaves, berries, and dried foliage for texture.
-
Arrange sunflowers with gourds, pinecones, and leaves in a galvanized bucket on your front porch or entryway table.
-
Scatter faux sunflower heads into your Halloween decor for bright pops of sunshine.
Sunflowers pair nicely with autumnal colors like burgundy, hunter green, orange, and brown. Try combining them with plaid, burlap, corn husks, and woven fall textures.
Drying Sunflowers Lets You Enjoy Their Beauty into Winter
To enjoy sunflowers even after summer is over, consider drying them for use in fall and winter decor. Follow these tips:
-
Cut sunflowers when the petals start drooping downward but before the head totally closes. This is usually when the back is yellow but the petals remain vibrant.
-
Remove excess leaves so just an inch or two of stem remains.
-
Hang the sunflowers upside down in a cool, dry, dark area for 1-3 weeks until completely dried.
-
Spray with a clear acrylic sealer to preserve if desired.
Display the dried sunflowers in fall wreaths, centerpieces, and wall art. Pair them with natural elements like wheat stems, curly willow, cotton bolls, and corn husks.
Sunflowers Bring Joy to Any Season
While sunflowers are at their peak in summer and fall, their bold beauty works wonderfully in decor year-round. Some more ways to use them:
-
Welcome spring by mixing sunflowers with pastels on your Easter table.
-
Brighten up a winter mantel or doorway with a big, cheery sunflower wreath.
-
Use faux or dried sunflowers in Bohemian bedroom decor for a sunny feel.
-
Incorporate sunflower motifs into yellow kitchen decor for pops of happiness.
No matter the season, sunflowers add sunshine and cheer to any space with their happy faces. Embrace their versatility in decor throughout the year!
Growing Tips for Sunflowers
- Water sunflowers regularly during the essential growth period.
- If you plant your sunflowers in poor soil, add a slow-acting fertilizer.
- Support your sunflowers with staking if they grow over three feet.
- Use barrier devices around your sunflowers to deter wildlife during harvest time.
- Check the back of the flower head for yellowing to identify seed ripening.
- Hang flower heads upside down in a warm, dry place and harvest seeds into a bag.
Are Sunflowers A Fall Flower? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
Are sunflowers fall or summer?
While we may think sunflowers are a summer flower with their bright yellow petals, they are actually more of a fall flower and can be enjoyed until late October in many parts of North America.
What month is known for sunflowers?
August is considered the peak growing season for sunflowers, which is why National Sunflower Day is a perfect time to experience the beauty of vast fields of golden awe. Brilliant fields of yellow flowers welcoming the morning sun can be found throughout North Dakota.
What season do sunflowers represent?
-
bloomranchofacton.comhttps://bloomranchofacton.comAre Sunflowers Perennials? How to Grow & When to Plant ThemSunflowers represent both summer and fall. They bloom in late summer and their bright yellow color is often associated with the warm, sunny days of summer. Howe…
What months do you decorate with sunflowers?
I love decorating with sunflowers from late Summer into Fall to help transition my garden and keep bright color going with a Fall feel.