Pale rather than pure
True white is not a natural sunflower colour. What breeders offer are cream and pale lemon cultivars, such as the one marketed as 'Italian White', whose petals are ivory or buttery with a dark centre. Colour can shift with light and heat, and some flowers look whiter in cooler weather.
Why choose a pale sunflower
Soft cream petals suit weddings and understated arrangements. They combine nicely with greenery, dusky pinks and dried grasses, and they look elegant in a tall glass vase.
Growing pale varieties
- Sow in spring, from September to November, in a sunny site.
- Give plenty of water, since sunflowers lose a lot through their large leaves.
- Stake plants in windy areas.
- Choose pollen-free types for the vase, so the petals stay clean.
Pale flowers can bleach and scorch in blistering afternoon heat. A site that gets morning sun, with some shade late in the day, protects the petals.
Cut flower care
Strip leaves below the water line and recut the stems. Sunflowers drink heavily, so check water levels daily. A vase life of a week or so is common.
Most pale varieties are branching cutting types that give many stems from a single plant. Sow every two weeks for a longer supply, and pick in the morning.
Cream sunflowers and pets
ASPCA guidance classes sunflower as non-toxic for dogs, cats and horses.
