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If you want birds and butterflies into your yard, along with a bit of extra sunshine, too, plant a sunflower garden.
You can find sunflower varieties that range from 15 inches to 12 feet in height. In addition to the traditional sunshine yellow, sunflowers also come in a variety of colors including white, red and bronze.
The history of sunflowers goes back thousands of years. Some archaeologists believe that Native Americans may have cultivated sunflowers as early as 3000 B.C.
In the 1500s, sunflowers were taken back to Europe by New World explorers. When the first European settlers arrived in America, they were already familiar with the sunny yellow flowers.
During the 18th century, Russia began producing sunflowers. Peter the Great is given much of the credit for this. The mammoth Russian sunflower, a long-time favorite of Russian immigrants, was first listed in American seed catalogs in 1880.
In the United States, the first commercially grown sunflowers were used for silage. In 1926, sunflower seeds were being processed for oil in the U.S. By the 1970s, hybrid varieties were developed to increase yield and to enhance oil production.
The edible-seed flowers now are widely grown in two major forms. Small black seeds are produced for birdseed and for oil, used in cooking, cosmetics and soaps. The larger black and white striped confectionery seeds are produced for snacking and baking. You can buy either in the shell or hulled, salted or unsalted. The larger unsalted seeds also are used to feed birds and squirrels and can lure both to your back yard--even if its a small one.
Growing sunflowers is easy. Choose a location that gets full sun all day. Any type of soil will do as long as it drains well. Sunflowers don't like soggy feet. Compost or other organic material added to the soil will benefit the plant. Plant multiple sunflowers for cross-pollination. At least two flowers must bloom for seed production to occur.
Fifty species of sunflower are native to North America. You may not find all of them in the seed packet isle of your local nursery, but several choices usually are available. Choose the size and height that fits your needs. Mixing varieties can be interesting. For wildlife, you can grow sunflowers that produce small black-oil seeds and large striped seeds.
Sow seeds one-half inch deep, 6 inches apart. As leaves appear, thin plants so they are about 2 feet apart for larger varieties with less space for smaller plants. Spacing recommendations are listed on the back of the seed packet. As plants begin to set forth leaves, fertilize on a weekly basis to encourage root development.
When planting taller sunflower varieties, stake the flowers as they grow. Early in the growth stage, place a pole at the base of the stalk. As the stem grows, use twine or soft ties to secure it to the stake every 6 inches or so.
During the bud stage, sunflowers will turn to follow the sun. As the petals open, sunflowers face east to protect their seeds from the hot rays of the sun. Consider this when choosing a location for sunflowers.
Birds can't seem to wait for the seeds to mature, so don't expect pristine blooms to last long. Squirrels also are adept at climbing a stalk, chewing through the stem and collecting the entire seedhead in their mouths. Don't be surprised to look into the garden one day and see a sad little stalk where a flower once stood.
You can leave remaining seed-heads (if there are any) in the garden for fall and winter visitors. Or you can cut and dry the seed-heads indoors. Throughout the winter months, nail dried heads to trees or to your deck to create feeding stations.
For more information on Gardening, contact your
local Colorado State University Extension office.
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