Sunflowers do best with direct sowing. They aren't picky about soil type and can grow 5 - 7 feet tall. the blooms are approximately 4" across. Plant at a depth of 1/2 inch in full sun. They are 'sow' easy ti grow, and will bloom all summer long.
Care
These flowers are drought and heat tolerant but do need the occasional drink of water, especially when they are young. They develop deep taproots and don't like to be disturbed - hence the direct sow.
History
There's mixed messages out in the research fields about the history of this flower. Some say it was developed in Texas, perhaps a variant of some kind. Most of the history facts seemed to point to the flower being cultivated in Tuscany, Italy for centuries and originating from that area. The sunflower is a vital part of the area as it contributes to the local economy.
Why We're A Little Bat Crazy Over This One
Bats are important to the ecosystem and it's good to help them in any way we can. They act as a natural pest control, pollinate plants, disperse seeds, and all of that benefits agriculture, forestry and the overall ecosystem. Sunflowers stay open at night making their pollen available to moths, which bats love to eat. Other insects will burrow into sunflowers to sleep, beetles, flies, etc and bats will also eat those. So plant sunflowers and help our batty friends. They're facing severe decline and many are listed as endangered. Other plants that help bats are: Yarrow, purple coneflower and night blooming plants such as moonflower, night blooming jasmine and evening primrose.
