Helianthus ‘Tall Single’ is the go-to if you want height and impact. These sunflowers make a fantastic screen for a shed or wall — just be sure to provide support to help them grow tall. Plus, the buds, petals, and seeds are all edible, and the plants attract helpful insects like bees.
🌸 Flowering: July to September
📏 Height: to 300cm
🌿Annual
SOW: start indoors in February or March in individual pots or modules, about 1cm deep, at around 20°C. Germination takes 1–2 weeks. In milder areas, you can also sow outdoors in April, either in pots or direct where they’re to flower.
GROW: harden off and plant out once frosts have passed, spacing them 40–50cm apart. Keep well watered and choose a sunny, open spot. Stake tall varieties, especially if you're using them as a screen or windbreak,
ENJOY: cut these classic sunflowers to brighten your home or let them shine in your garden. Roast the seeds for a tasty snack or dry and grind them for baking. You can also dry the heads and hang them out for birds to enjoy during winter.
Wildlife-friendly
Large, open blooms are a big hit with bumblebees, honeybees, and solitary bees like leafcutter bees.
Provides a rich nectar and pollen source through mid to late summer.
Once the flowers fade, the seed heads are a feast for birds—especially goldfinches, sparrows, and greenfinches.
Great for adding late-season support to wildlife-friendly gardens
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