Without a doubt, this is the best gardening channels on RU-vid. Great research, great photography, and excellent, pragmatic content! A+++. Way to go, Joe!
Thank you sir! I will do my best to keep it going. I've got a nice backlog of footage. It just takes a while to compile, edit, etc. But thank you again. I'm glad you are liking it!
Today I discovered your channel as a RU-vid recommendation (obsessed gardener here). Your content is really EXCEPTIONAL; the time & energy you put into explaining and editing, with visuals and additional references is remarkable and greatly appreciated! New subscriber 🌱🌻💫
I never get tired of sunflowers! Watching birds eat the seeds and the bees are at work, while looking out my kitchen windows! What a pleasant view. 🤗 Thank you for sharing this informative video! 👍👍👍
You are very welcome Caroline! Unfortunately I lost most of my sunflowers this year to Hurricane Ida. But a few managed to persist. I'm happy to hear that this video helped you out!
I absolutely love the look of wild sunflowers. And I think how you placed them between the evergreens was genius. We're going to try something similar towards the back of our property this year. Almost forgot, the time stamps on the photos from when you planted to full maturation was really helpful. It will definitely help me judge how they are developing this coming summer.
All credit for the evergreen sunflower row goes to my lovely wife! The key thing is keep the deer away initially, or plant so many they can't eat them. But these are really easy to germinate.
In New Mexico, wild, branching sunflowers love to grow in the ditches on the sides of the caliche dirt roads! They are magnificent! I love the branching flowers more than the single flower stalks... They just keep producing!!! Thank you for your lovely, informative video! Gotta go plant some seeds now!!!
Great video, thanks for showing us the wild sunflower! When you buy seeds they just show the blooms on the front and tell you how tall it gets. This really showed me what a wild sunflower looks like, and if I ever have the room I’m definitely going to grow these.
I was watching this and panicking - the leaves on my wild sunflower do not look anything like yours! Then at the very end, I remembered I had purchased a perennial sunflower, Helianthus maximiliani. Some deep breaths to calm back down and I'll be able to continue watching your channel.
Thank you for another idea for my pollinator garden. I do prefer to leave the stalks of my plants over the winter to feed the birds and also as a perch.
You are welcome Lar! These flowers really bring in the wildlife. I cut down the ones in the front, but keep the back ones up. This plant really does attract a lot of birds.
Thank you Frederica! Deer can be maddening sometimes. I've learned that I have to protect young plants (and sometimes older ones). It's funny though - in my experience (most of the time) plants that are 'deer resistant', are only deer resistant once they get a bit larger. But that certainly hasn't been the case for sunflowers!
When you you are longing for spring and have long conversations with other people while grabbing seeds too early... Your channel was actually brought up in conversation. I have 3 different perennial sunflower seeds ordered and on the way. Thank you for what you do!
@@growitbuildit I enjoy your channel. I have a relatively local seed company about 30 miles from my home. They had 3 varieties so I ordered the seed. High hopes usually equal okay results. Crossing my fingers will share the results.
Now that I sat down and watched about the mutant sunflower. I will share that I had a similar sunflower tree in 2021. I left it for the birds as well. It still stands now February 28th 2022. Thank you for your videos. Again my 8 year old is still watching them all.
Great info! I love seeing how much wildlife they attract. I didn't cold stratify my echinacea seeds thanks to one of your other videos and they're actually germinating better than the ones I put in the refrigerator. I also love everwilde farms. They have better packaging the most places
Thank you Holly! I couldn't agree more in regards to Everwilde. Their packaging is definitely the best in the business. Prices are really good too. And these flowers are probably the single best at attracting birds, well, until they've eaten all the seed. Sunflower seed of any kind is definitely their favorite.
Glad I came across your video on Milk Weed and then this video. Since I am in Michigan I start many seeds indoors. Sunflowers are my Favorite. My neighbor asked earlier this year, you will be planting Sunflowers again, they are all indoors sprouting and getting ready as soon as weather breaks. We had such a cold Spring, didn't think I would ever get them outside. Zinnias are another favorite of mine, started many inside also. I think I just like being in my Flowerbeds working 🌻
I'm glad you addressed the issue of plants topping over. I find that to be my biggest problem with Zinnia's, 4 o'clock and sunflowers. A good heavy rain makes them top heavy and wind gust from a storm is all it takes.
The plants toppling over is maddening when it happens. You've just got to try to keep them in the open, and not plant them in to thick a mulch. But even then, you can always get that one storm that just knocks everything down.
I love this video discussing the beauty of native wildflowers! I have some in my yard that I tried to show off to my family, but they just called them weeds. I may send them this video.
Excellent - I'm glad I could help you out Rob. I'm sorry to hear it isn't flowering. Look for buds to come soon. I have some that 'naturally seeded' this year that are finishing up, while I have others I planted late that are just getting started.
I bought a pack of these, gonna start them in seed packs, so they don't get eaten, then plant out in the meadow so they can self seed to their hearts content! You are an exceptional teacher! Thanks for the work you do!
Thank you Michael! I've grown these in our widlflower meadow / micro-prairie. But they've never gotten as tall as when grown in the open. Some of that is expected due to competition, perhaps most of it. So your idea of getting them started early is the correct one! I have some perennial sunflowers growing in my meadow though, and one of them self-seeds a decent amount (in fact, I never planted it. Nature did). But the 'Tall Sunflower', Helianthus giganteus has never self-seeded. But, it's absolutely huge, probably 3-4' clump at this point.
This was great info! I’m a newer gardener and I didn’t know of this variety. I’ve only grown the familiar ones sold at the big box stores. I love sunflowers! I especially love seeing the finches eat the seeds from them, and my zinnias!😊
Here in Montana, they grow right off the roadsides. It’s been 100 degrees and we haven’t had rain in forever. Plan to grab some on the way to work for my yard. Kinda hope the chickens will love the seeds. Feeding those little mooches is expensive.
That is cool you have those all over the place. And that is a good solution to help out with feeding chickens. I went out to SD this summer for vacation and was amazed how many Sunflowers were just there....all over the road.
I'm in zone 6a between bend ore and Klamath falls. I grow standard sunflowers but LOVE this wild sunflower look. 🌻 ill have to search for some seeds for next year. 🤗👍
you can also turn a fan on low, and slowly get closer until the breeze strength is just enough to blow off the chaff. I usually do it your way though. lol. I just discovered this plant and saved a few seeds for next year.
I used to just take stuff outside and let the wind separate the chaff. But as you could guess, if you get one gust you can lose a lot of seed (depending on size). You're going to like this flower. Good luck!
I have what I believe to be one of these that has recently sprouted in my yard. It popped up in a patch of dirt that nothing else will grow in. I'm guessing a squirrel or bird made a stash there and it sprouted. I'm looking forward to the bloom and hoping I can save some seeds and plant more in the same area. Good video and good info, thanks
It will be a long before I can do it. I can collect seed easily enough, but I've not tried to germinate them. I was kind of worried about them taking over my backyard, as they tend to do that in their preferred habitat.
I started letting my wild sunflowers grow instead of taking them out and I have melons 10 days earlier. It is interesting the different bloom colors, shapes, etc. I have one that has a yellow center and a beautiful array of petals. Another has wider plum orangish petals
Hi Don - There are dozens of varieties / mutations of sunflowers. Some with crazy colors, others with larger blooms. But the original native will look like the ones in my video and have lots of branching with the smaller blooms (4"). And will only say "Helianthus annus".
Just saw some next to an onramp overlooking the Arkansas river, off on an access road. Going to try to get some. Hopefully they transplant easily. As always, great video!
I have limited yard space so I'm finding it really difficult to decide which of the wonderful pollinator plants to choose from. Wild Sunflowers have made the cut for sure.
This is a great one for all the wildlife it brings in. You should check out Anise Hyssop and Mountain Mint too. They are both more compact, but bring in lots of pollinators.
These plants grow wild all around my town in Texas. One important thing to remember is that these flowers are allelopathic - even to themselves. After a few years, they will stop reseeding in the area that they have been growing. I had a acre of land that was covered in thousands of these plants, then after about 7 years, germination dropped off and has not recovered 5 years later.
That is interesting Susan - I believe I will be starting on year 5 this year. I still had plenty of volunteers last year, so I will be sure to save more seed this year.
We live in the low mountains of Banning, CA (zone 8b) - these wild sunflowers grow everywhere here, they nearly take over my large garden if I let them. We're curious where abouts you live, we've never seen the kind of clay soil you have! We have clay soil but it isn't as gooey as yours Happy gardening 😊
@@growitbuildit to our clay soil, we add compost (we have chickens, sheep & ponies 😊) manures & organic fertilizer to make it just right to grow our veggies in but our natural soil is great for fruit trees, grapes, Lavender & sunflowers 🌻 and the suchlike. We're truly blessed. We built mini elevated beds that we grow red & green Romaine lettuce, mixed baby lettuce & spinach. We're going to experiment other veggies. If you're interested and if it's possible, I'll send pictures. Happy Gardening!!
Hi - they are related, as they are both Helianthus genus. But these are wild sunflower, H. annus. They only live one year, while Jerusalem artichokes are perennial.
I've been looking for this flower for so long. There used to be fields of them but construction took over the fields and I miss the yellow flowers. Would love to grow them.
Does anyone know where to find these seeds? Amazon does not have them available that I can find. I have always wanted these in my garden. Great video. Thank you.
Would love some info on saving the seed and when best to plant in zone 4b..? First time watcher--thank you, your videos are very informative and helpful!
Hi Cat - I show in pretty good detail how to save the seed here - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ww8BruNX5VU.html Those small bags work great for catching loose seed and keeping it from the birds. Just try to rake the seeds from the heads over a plate. Then try to gently blow the chaff away, as the seeds are heavy.
i have yellow finches peck eat some of the leaves...this is a good thing...also try suncokes..perenial..2nd yr will produce lots of stalks tall with many smaller yellow blooms starts bloom in sept so good for late season pollinatord.....and lastly...,try anual "mexican sunflowers" lots of red orange blooms keep coming with deadheading..all polinators love them even hummigbirds
Thank you for the tips Elizabeth. I've actually got a couple other perennial sunflowers going in our backyard. Helianthus Giganteus and Sawtooth Sunflower. But I'm always interested in more variety
These grow wild all around me in central California and are commonly known as 'Delta Sunflower'. I see them all over, even away from the Delta in dry barren lands, and its amazing because our summers are completely dry and the soil they are blooming in look dry and hard as a rock. Our plants look very similar to yours but much shorter. Would pruning wild sunflower encourage more blooming from them?
Hi - you can deadhead them to keep them looking nicer. In general, they have a super bloom followed by constant, sporadic blooming until Winter. At which point they die due to the cold. Removing spent flowerheads would keep the overall appearance nicer, and it may verywell encourage more blooms than what is normal.
At some point, yes I will. I'm waiting for Spring germination, and my own plants to bloom. I can write an article covering all aspects in the meantime though. I will put in my germination procedure, etc. I'll respond to this comment when it is done.
This will be my first time growing sunflowers mainly not only for the beauty but wildlife... I was not aware that they only bloom for a short period of time I thought they lasted all summer long so i think I will plant some and in the meantime have some growing from seed , I would love to have them around all summer any thoughts or suggestions on that
Hi Rose, there are many perennial sunflowers to plant for many superblooms. Try H. Grosseratus or giganteus. But the longest blooming sunflower style fl9wer would probably be this one. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Dqk5-HiDGb4.html
I’m in zone 6 and I ordered these wild sunflower seeds they should be in this week. Can I get any blooms yet this year? I have grow lights inside so I can start inside.
Hi Franco - I'm in zone 6. It *may* be possible to get a bloom. But it is going to be tough and you'll need a long summer/fall. Make sure you hold some back for next year just in case. These are annuals that won't survive the Winter
hey Joe, I'm in Zone 6a CT, thanks for showing that you started your wild sunflower seeds in pots, I'm gonna try that. I tried direct sowing but none came up, probably eaten. Gonna start them tomorrow in pots, do you think I will get flowers in time? All my other self sown sunflower varieties are about a foot high May 31st.
You are very welcome Tracey! We've got about 12 of the 'Christmas Tree' sunflowers started in pots this year. You should absolutely have plenty of time to do this too. Just get them started and go for larger pots right away. You want those babies to grow fast, so lots of sun/heat but keep them moist.
Thanks for the informative video! Question- there's a large, mowed-around circle (maybe 25' in diameter) in the middle of a large sunny area in our neighborhood park that's all weeds and vines, which I want to make into a "sunflower island". Do you think if I mowed it down and planted seeds by mid-August that would be early enough to get em' going, or better to just wait until next spring? I'm in Philadelphia, so zone 7.
Hi Jaron - I definitely needs to wait until next Spring. These are annuals, and will not survive the winter. I think maybe you should consider smothering the area with cardboard + leaves this Autumn. That will make your job much easier. Then, just sow seed or start them in pots in May. This video explains it well. But instead of mulch (which usually costs $) you could probably just use Autumn leaves. Make sure you thoroughly water the cardboard and leaves. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wksGGlA_2IA.html
@@growitbuildit Got it, thanks for the reply! I figured they wouldn't make it through, just wasn't sure if I could get a bloom and some seeds before the winter hit, but yeah your mulch/prep plan sounds like the way to go. Thanks again.
Swamp sunflower, native sunflower, false sunflower or Sneezeweed-which would you choose at the back of a mulched bed, for overall beauty and feeding wildlife? Thanks!
Hi Sarah - I haven't grown Swamp sunflower. But I have all the others. False Sunflower continually blooms nearly all season, which is very nice. But for straight up attracting wildlife, I would have to go with Wild Sunflower. Note, if it gets shaded or doesn't receive sun from all sides, then the sunflower may try to lean a bit. So, you may need to stake it. Also, if grown in a formal flower bed, both Sneezeweed and False Sunflower will benefit much from a Chelsea Chop - see here: growitbuildit.com/the-chelsea-chop/
So if I want them to grow in a field where they currently aren't growing.....how can I go about self seeding them into the field? If I cut the dried flowers off and toss them into the field, will they spread and germinate possibly the following year?
Hi Jackson - if they are already growing there, then you probably don't need to do anything. Some seed will fall right in place. If you want to ensure they grow, just cut off one seed head as soon as the seed starts getting eaten by finches. Dry that seed head out, and rake the seed out onto a plate. Then plant them next Spring.
Hi - they get about 3-4' wide out in the open. They can take a bit of shade, but will be much smaller and not as showy. If they get too much shade, they will struggle. If you can get them six hours of sun they should be ok though.
I actually have Sawtooth sunflower as well. Or at least, that is how I'm ID'ing the sunflower. I never planted it - birds did. It is a beautiful tall plant. I'm still trying to get my Compass Plants to grow. I've been 'attempting' them for years. I germinate the seed, but they keep losing out to other plants in my wildflower area. I'm going to have to give them their own spot in the yard somewhere.
Hi Rick - here are two places to start. 1 - enter your zip code and it will return a list of plants native to the area. www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants 2 - wildflower.org has a great native plant search function, where you can select your state (I really like this one), height, color, bloom time....all sorts of filters to identify various plants native to your area or region. Just scroll down to 'combination search' : www.wildflower.org/plants/ 3 - bonap If I want to know the exact county level data as to where something is native, I simply go to duck duck go, type in the latin name and "bonap". It will return maps of the plant species (all within a genus) and show you exactly where they are native.
I love sunflowers and coneflowers . I have a small cut out area on the east side of my home will this area be good for them. I live in zone 10 in Florida. Thanks
Hi Elizabeth - that would probably work, but it is possible the sunflowers will want to lean. Many plants tend to grow toward the sun, and if they only get it from the East they could start leaning that way. You could always stake them if necesseary.
If you do the Chelsea Chop, they will definitely be smaller. Also, less water will equal shorter plants. This is a good guide - growitbuildit.com/the-chelsea-chop/
I had picked a couple flowers on a walk one day and gave them to my wife. She loves wild flowers, but once they died she threw them in our backyard. We let one grow and it got bigger than any wild one I’ve seen before. Also when I removed it at the end of the season the bottom stock was exactly like a tree trunk. Literally like bark and wood, is this normal?
Hi Michelle, yes, they are completely different species. Tithonia is native to Mexico, has different flower structure, color, and the flowers are slightly smaller. Practically speaking though, I don't think they differ much in growing conditions.
From my experience, no. Liquid fence is made from concentrated rotten eggs and garlic (primarily). It just smells awful and keeps them away. Eventually it washes off the plants via rain, and then the deer or rabbits will start eating it again. It really does work. If you go to their website you can see the ingredients and SDS sheet.
The flowers turn into seed heads eventually. I show it later in the video around this point - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ww8BruNX5VU.html&lc=UgwkQ7_E_ratQbSg_fx4AaABAg
OKAY, but did you know the sunflower green leafs you can make tea with it but i don't remember the benefit of it, my grandmother use it to drink tea every morning in Jamaica and she is 94 years old.
@@growitbuildit glad you reply😍. I thought there is some sunflower species that will keep blooming and live. New knowledge for me, so it is called annual flower. Thank You for reply and for the informative info. 😆
This specific species is an annual and has no spreading rhizomes. I've been growing them for seven years....they are annuals that die every Winter. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of perennial sunflowers that spread by rhizomes, and you are probably encountering one of those. Helianthus strumosus is probably the most aggressive I've encountered. But this specific species will completely die every Winter and germinate from seed anew in the Spring.
Dang , I better put some chicken wire over the seeds I planted . I bin planting so may native plants but they just disappear. I believe the deer have been eating them all!
The sunflower (or “soniashnyk”) is Ukraine's national flower and has been grown on its central and eastern steppes since the middle of the 18th century, cultivated for its seeds, which are eaten as a snack, or crushed into oil, a key ingredient in cooking and an export product of vital importance.
