Wisconsin Native Sunflowers
Native sunflowers have much to recommend them:
Great for cut flowers
Seeds are edible
Sunflower seeds limit weeds
Attracts pollinators including bees, butterflies and birds
Sunflower roots help with contaminated soil
Native sunflowers are perennial plants with a large daisy-like flower face.
Sunflowers are able to take heavy metals from contaminated soil in a way that’s completely
natural and un-harmful to the soil and its surrounding ecosystems. They’re called phytoremediators.
It’s best to sow sunflower seeds directly into the garden after the danger of spring frost has passed
any time after soils have warmed to at least 50°F.
In Wisconsin, this will fall between April and mid-June.
Sunflowers dislike having their roots disturbed, direct-sowing is much better than instead of transplanting.
While the plant is small, water around the root zone, about 3 to 4 inches from the plant. To protect
the plant, it may help to put snail or slug bait around the stem.
Once the plant is established, water deeply though infrequently to encourage deep rooting. Unless
the weather is exceptionally wet or dry, water once a week with several gallons of water.
Feed plants only sparingly; over fertilization can cause stems to break in the fall. You can add
diluted fertilizer into the water, though avoid getting the fertilizer near the plant’s base; it may
help to build a moat in a circle around the plant about 18 inches out.
Sunflowers dislike having their roots disturbed, direct-sowing is much better than instead
of transplanting.
Tall species and cultivars require support. Bamboo stakes are a good choice for any plant
that has a strong, single stem and needs support for a short period of time.
Let the flower dry on or off the stem until the back of the head turns brown, the foliage turns
yellow, the petals die down, and the seeds look plump and somewhat loose.
Once the plant is established, water deeply though infrequently to encourage deep rooting.
Unless
the weather is exceptionally wet or dry, water once a week with several gallons of water.
With sharp scissors or pruners, cut the head off the plant (about 6 inches below the flower
head). Place in a container to catch loose seeds.
Lie the sunflower head on a flat, clean surface and grab a bowl to hold the seeds.
To remove the seeds, simply rub your hand over the seeded area and pull them off the plant
or you can use a fork. Another way to remove them is to rub the head of the sunflower across
an old washboard or something similar. Just grip the head and rub it across the board as if
you were washing clothes.
If you are going to harvest the seeds for roasting, you can cover the flowers with a light fabric
(such as cheesecloth) and a rubber band to protect the heads from the birds.
Alternatively, you can cut the flower head early and hang the heads upside down until the seeds
are dry; hang indoors or in a place that’s safe from birds and mice.
Rinse sunflower seeds before laying them out to dry for several hours or overnight.
If you’re saving seeds to replant, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until
you are ready to plant.
To remove the seeds, simply rub your hand over the seeded area and pull them off the plant
or you can use a fork. Another way to remove them is to rub the head of the sunflower across
an old washboard or something similar. Just grip the head and rub it across the board as if
you were washing clothes.
Wisconsin Native Sunflower Species
Ox Eye Sunflower
Height: 3-6 feet
Bloom: Summer
Sun: Full Sun
Zones: 3-8
Soil: Clay,Loam, Sand
Moisture: Dry, Medium,Moist
Color: Yellow
Woodland Sunflower
Height: 3-5 feet
Bloom: Late Summer/Fall
Sun: Full Sun,Part Sun
Zones: 3-8
Soil : Loam,Sand
Moisture: Dry,Medium
Color: Yellow
Showy Sunflower
Height: 3-6 feet
Bloom: Late Summer/Fall
Sun: Full Sun
Zones: 4-8
Soil: Clay,Loam,Sand
Moisture: Dry,Medium
Color: Yellow
Western Sunflower
Height: 2-3 feet
Bloom: Late Summer/Fall
Sun: Full Sun
Zones: 3-8
Soil: Loam,Sand
Moisture: Dry,Medium
Color: Yellow
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