Sunflowers: summer cheer, growing tips and vase care
Few flowers suit an Australian summer as well as the sunflower (Helianthus annuus). It loves heat, grows astonishingly fast and looks just as good in a jug on the kitchen table as it does along a fence.
Order flowers easily online.
Order flowers nowA flower made of hundreds
What looks like one huge bloom is a flower head packed with hundreds of tiny florets. The yellow outer rays are sterile, there for show, while the brown disc in the middle holds the florets that turn into seeds. The plant comes from North America and was grown there as a food and oil crop long before it reached our gardens. A tall one can reach three metres.
Do sunflowers follow the sun?
Only when they are young. Growing plants swing their heads from east to west during the day and drift back overnight. Once the head matures it stays facing east, which warms it quickly in the morning. The old saying about loyalty to the sun is lovely, but only half the story.
What a bunch of sunflowers says
- Happiness. The colour alone lifts a room.
- Thanks. A sunflower bunch is an easy way to say you appreciate someone, such as a teacher at the end of the school year.
- Strength. A plant that shoots up in a few months suits a friend who is facing something tough.
Send flowers anywhere in Australia.
View the selectionKinds you may meet
- 'Lemon Queen': Soft lemon petals around a dark centre, branching and easy to pick.
- 'Teddy Bear': A compact plant with fluffy, double golden heads.
- 'Moulin Rouge': Deep burgundy and pollen-free, so the petals stay clean.
- 'Italian White': Creamy ivory petals. A true white sunflower does not exist, but this comes close.
- Pollen-free cutting types: Bred so that no yellow dust falls on your tablecloth.
In the vase
Sunflowers pair well with blue delphiniums, orange gerberas and white daisies, but a few big stems in a tall jug are impressive on their own. Looking to send flowers to a friend with a sunny disposition? A sunflower bunch is a cheerful choice.
You can order flowers with sunflowers for delivery in all states, or find the meaning of other blooms in our guide to flower language.
Keeping cut sunflowers fresh
- Re-cut the stems with a sharp knife, as blunt scissors crush them.
- Remove every leaf that would sit in the water.
- Check the level daily. These stems drink a great deal, especially in a hot room.
- Replace the water every day or two, and give the vase a rinse.
- Keep the bunch out of afternoon sun and away from the fruit bowl.
At a glance – sunflower
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Vase life | About a week, sometimes longer |
| Botanical name | Helianthus annuus |
| Native to | North America |
| Sowing in Australia | September to December |
Send a sunny bunch to someone who deserves it, with delivery across Australia.
Choose bouquet →Ordering flowers online takes a few minutes. Our care guide shows how to keep them looking their best.
