Overall Grade: B-

Would I use again: Yes, but in smaller numbers

I planted the sunflowers in cups progressively from March 15 to April 15, and transplanted after all danger of frost. Early season performance was stellar, with huge, bright sunflowers all over the knee-high bushes.

Late season performance isn't good. As of mid-August, they're mostly dying out as the plants exhaust themselves, and I was dead-heading except for a few blossoms left to generate seed for next year. Late July performance onward wasn't fantastic.

Two plants are still blooming, out of 25, but the leaves look ragged and unattractive. Except for those two, I'm cutting them down and depositing the leaves and stems in the compost bin (seed heads are not going into the bin).

Next year, I'll cut 25 back to 10 and try something new.

My avatar is an image, actually, of the first blooming sunflower.

Here's a closeup:



Here's an image of one bush on July 21st, just about the end of the Really Good Period (which went from late May to July, so I really can't complain too much, I guess).



Planting later, like May 1 - 15th and adding them late, would also extend the season and shift bloom to later and die-off until later. I think I'm going to go with a very staggered planting, March 15 to May 15, to keep some up through the season.

That zinnia is two plants, I think. There might be a third snuggled behind it on the outside face, though.

From the color, they're Profusion Orange.

We were given a giant sunflower seed to plant at a children's program at the local library. I am amazed at the growth of this giant plant. It's over 7 feet tall (maybe 8 as I type) and the head is just forming and getting ready to open. I'm looking forward to saving the seeds and replanting next year!

The giants are amazing, and bloom late enough that they can pull off the whole summer season. I love them (I like most sunflowers) but don't have room for them in the garden plan. They're too dominant.