More than just tall and cheery summer garden classics, these 9 spectacular sunflower varieties will turn heads and create a dramatic statement in any sunny spot

Loved for their bold and cheery presence, sunflowers are one of the most widely recognised garden blooms. Instantly recognisable for their tall straight stems topped with circular flowerheads and golden petals, they are synonymous with the heady days of summer and late season harvests.

It's so easy to grow sunflowers, and these annuals are straightforward to raise from seed. Ideal for first time gardeners and children alike, it never fails to impress just how quickly these plants germinate from the tiniest seed.

What is less well known is that there are many beautiful and fascinating varieties of sunflower to grow. From shorter multi-branching plants with multiple blooms to those lofty single flowers, you can find a sunflower for every sunny part of the yard. Use them to create traffic stopping hedges, uplifting border fillers or for planters with real personality. They don’t just come in golden yellow either - there’s a rich floral palette to explore from palest lemon through to copper, bronze and deepest claret.

9 mood-boosting sunflower varieties to grow

‘Recognised as the friendly giants of the garden, sunflowers attract a parade of pollinators as they bloom,’ says master gardener Tabar Gifford. ‘At the end of the season, harvest seeds for snacking, birdfeeders, or future planting.’

Delve into the rich world of sunflowers and you will find an endlessly tempting number of varieties to try. From cheery straight stemmed giants to shorter, brooding multi stemmed types, you will be spoilt for choice. We've put together this edit to whet your appetite and get you growing. There really is a sunflower for every yard.

Sunflower 'Ruby Eclipse'

With soft deep raspberry petals fading out to pale blush, this breath-taking sunflower is a delicate contrast to the classic golden varieties.

‘The unique color of this branching sunflower is perfect for fall arrangements,’ says flower expert and grower Lori Hernandez. ‘Each plant has multiple blooms over the course of a few weeks and are great for pollinators.’

To prolong the display Lori suggests to, ‘Plant more seeds every 14 days from last spring frost until mid-summer to ensure you have beautiful bloom all season long.’

Reaching heights of 5-6ft (152-182cm), these airy plants look great grown as an informal flower hedge or grouped in a border. Find Ruby Eclipse seeds at Three Acre Farm.

Sunflower 'Starburst Greenburst'

Fancy a cheery sunflower that’s a little rough around the edges? Then this variety is for you. A branching rather than single stem sunflower, they need less support in strong winds and make a real impact with a mass of multiple flowers. Early to bloom from seed – around couple of months in total – they last for around 7-10 days when cut and displayed in a vase.

‘Wild, shaggy-looking blooms with a cheery bright center, these plants offer great value to gardener and florist,’ says Lori. ‘I grow lots of sunflowers to harvest for cut flower use, but I always leave all the ones in my vegetable garden for the birds and the bees.’ Plants reach heights of around 60-72 inches (152-182cm).

Lori Hernandez

Lori Hernandez, an Art Education teacher turned flower farmer, founded Three Acre Farm in 2017 after discovering gardening's healing powers. She now dedicates herself to sharing the joy and inspiration she finds in flowers, helping others experience their restorative benefits.  

Sunflower 'Double Sunking'

Delightfully dense and shaggy, often encircled with long, flat petals, this is a striking summer bloom that looks especially stunning when planted in a group. Reaching up to 6ft (182cm) on a single stem, they’ll make a real impact in any sunny yard but are best grown in a border rather than pot, due to their sheer size and extensive roots.

‘It's a tall variety with fully double flowers of bright yellow and an unusually puffy look,’ says John Lenz, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. ‘Perhaps best of all they don't have pest problems. For those practicing polyculture planting of squash, beans, and corn – known as the Three Sisters - it’s worth remembering that sunflowers should be in the mix as well. They're the 'forgotten sister’.’

Stake the stems, especially in exposed locations and keep soil well-watered but not soggy, as this can lead to rot. Mulching soil around the base of each plant will help conserve water.

Sunflower 'Red Giant'

Taking just three months from seed to bloom, these 72in (182cm) tall, single stemmed sunflowers are a mesmerizing sight. Towering high in any border or planter, their large bronze, red blooms, with dark chocolate centres, are a fabulous contrast to the classic yellow flowering varieties.

A lucky plant to grow for good fortune, it's pretty easy to get these seeds to germinate. Space seedlings 24 inches (61cm) apart and stake when young, to encourage the development of strong, straight stems. This sun loving variety – also known as Red Giant - thrives in full sun and loves free draining soil. Walmart have seeds of this variety available online.

Sunflower 'Chocolate Cherry'

Definitely a must grow for those who love a dramatic flower or two in their yard. Big, bold and blowsy, this variety has blooms in deep shades from darkest obsidian, red cherry through to rich chocolate brown.

The equally dark centres sometimes feature an additional golden outline around the pollen plate, which all adds to this sunflower’s unforgettable presence. ‘A brilliant heirloom sunflower with striking deep red petals, this variety grows 6 to 7 feet tall,’ exclaims John.

He also adds, 'All sunflowers want plenty of water and lots of sun. Direct seed them after last frost into rich, loose soil. They have a deep root system, so they don't need constant watering but appreciate a good through soaking.' We like the look of this 2.5 Gallon steel watering can from Amazon.

The seeds can be dried and are popular with birds, wildlife and can be added to trail mix and salads for a nutty touch. Sunflower 'Chocolate Cherry' are available from Baker Creek Seeds.

John Lenz

John Lenz is a horticulture expert and educator at Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. He has a degree in horticulture from New Mexico State University and an MBA from St. Leo University in Florida.  

Sunflower 'Marley'

With vanilla colored petals that darken to deep claret in the center, ‘Marley’ is a fun and cheery bloom that resists being brash and brazen. As each large petalled bloom slightly varies in shade and its markings, any mass planting or bunch of cut stems have a delightfully different personality.

Reaching up to 5ft tall (152cm), these easy to grow annuals attract a variety of pollinators, hummingbirds and butterflies and, if repeat planted, at two week intervals during April and May, will put on a prolonged floral display until the first frosts.

Plant sunflower seeds indoors, two weeks before the last frost. Push each seed 1 in (2.5cm) below the soil surface, keep at a temperature of around 50F (10C) and thin out seedlings after ten days. A great flower for pots in full sun, Sunflower 'Marley' seeds are available at Walmart.

Sunflower 'Moulin Rouge'

From deepest claret to intense ruby edged with gold, this heirloom sunflower makes a real impact in any border. A branching variety with surprisingly large flowerheads, it offers plenty of value producing several blooms per stem and by following a few tips it's possible to keep sunflowers blooming.

One of the best plants for attracting butterflies and other pollinators, Sunflower 'Moulin Rouge' will reach height of up to 72 inches (182cm) and thanks to its multiple stems seldom needs staking.

A fun and fabulous cut flower, this velvety petalled variety has low pollen levels, helping it to last longer in the vase. Sow seed - available at Walmart - at regular three week intervals for a sustained floral display from mid summer to the first frosts.

Sunflower Earthwalker

Slightly shorter than sunflower ‘Red Sun’, reaching heights of 60 in (152cm), this branching sunflower has a similar impact with its stunning copper red blooms. With smaller dark centres ringed with large, flat petals that vary in tone, they make a real spectacle planted in large groups or as roadside verge.

‘Earthwalker Sunflowers bring a warm, autumnal color palette to the garden, with blooms in rich shades of burnt orange, deep red, and golden yellow,’ says master gardener Tabar Gifford. ‘As an open-pollinated heirloom variety, they provide both nectar and pollen, making them a valuable resource for butterflies and bees throughout the growing season. Their branching habit means a single plant produces multiple flowers, ensuring a long-lasting display from summer into fall.’

Whether used in cut arrangements or left to stand as a striking late-season feature, this eye catching sunflower variety is a must-grow for many gardeners. ‘Once the blooms fade, the seed heads become a natural food source for birds, adding even more ecological value to the garden,’ Tabar continues.

Tabar Gifford

Tabar Gifford works as an American Meadows Master Gardener, and has a lifelong love for gardening and nature. With a background in environmental studies and sustainable community development, she enjoys combining her horticultural expertise with a commitment to education.

Sunflower 'Teddy Bear'

Instantly recognisable, the striking flowers of this variety look very different to how you may imagine a sunflower to be.

‘Giant Teddy Bear’ Sunflowers bring a playful, touchable texture to the garden with their oversized, fully double blooms that can reach up to eight inches wide,’ says Tabar Gifford. ‘Their soft, fluffy appearance sets them apart from traditional sunflowers, creating a striking visual display that lasts throughout the summer.'

Growing up to seven feet tall, these sunflowers make excellent living fences or whimsical backdrops for kid-friendly garden spaces.

'Like all sunflowers, they are magnets for pollinators, drawing in bees and butterflies with their nectar-rich blooms, while their seeds provide a valuable food source for birds as the season winds down,' adds Tabar.

Benefitting from staking early on and regular watering, particularly during dry spells, these blooms can last well into fall. ‘For cut flowers, it’s best to harvest early in the morning just before the blooms fully open, ensuring a longer vase life,’ advises Tabar.

Inspired to grow sunflowers in your yard after reading this edit? Why not prolong the display well into fall by checking out the best plants for seedheads plus the best plants for fall color.