It’s time to bust some popular myths about these yellow flowers.
- Sunflowers Always Face the Sun
Adult sunflowers don’t follow the sun. While young sunflower blooms, known as “heliotropic heads,” do track the sun from east to west during the day, mature ones generally face east. This eastward orientation maximizes morning sunlight and helps attract more pollinators. - Sunflowers Are Always Yellow
They come in a variety of colors! While the classic image is of a bright yellow bloom, sunflowers can also be found in shades of red, orange, brown, and even purple. Breeders have developed many unique and striking varieties. - Sunflowers Are Just Beautiful Flowers
They’re not just pretty faces! Sunflowers are incredibly useful. Their seeds are edible and nutritious, used for producing sunflower oil, and the plants are great for bees and other pollinators. They also have phytoremediation properties, meaning they can extract toxic ingredients from the soil. - Sunflowers Grow Only in Summer
They are indeed summer bloomers, but their seeds can be planted in late spring to early summer. Depending on the variety, some sunflowers can bloom into early autumn, offering a longer period of beauty and utility in a garden. - Sunflowers Are High Maintenance Plants
They are actually quite hardy and low maintenance. They thrive in full sun and can tolerate drought. They’re not very picky about soil and don’t require much in terms of fertilization. This resilience makes them a favorite among gardeners of all skill levels.