A gardener has shared a tip for growing sunflowers to ensure you’re able to see the bright yellow blooms without ruining your garden – and people are calling it a ‘game-changer’
If you’re thinking of adding a splash of colour to your garden with sunflowers, take note of this crucial tip. Sunflowers are a fantastic addition to any garden. Their large, vibrant blooms can brighten up any outdoor space, and they’re a big hit with bees and other pollinators.
As their name suggests, sunflowers thrive in sunny spots. You’ll even notice the head of the plant turning throughout the day to follow the sun’s path across the sky. This movement can make it tricky for gardeners to decide where to plant their sunflowers. However, one vital piece of advice can help determine the best spot for your flowers.
Gardening expert Simon Akeroyd shared a video on TikTok explaining that those living in the Northern Hemisphere, including the UK, should always plant their sunflowers on the west side of their garden for a very important reason.
In his video, Simon revealed that while sunflowers turn to face the sun as they grow, they “permanently face east” once they’ve stopped growing. This means if you plant them on the east side of your garden, they’ll be facing your neighbours, meaning you won’t get to enjoy the beautiful blooms yourself.
The gardening guru explained: “Sunflowers track the sun during the day as they grow, following the sun from rising in the east to setting in the west each day. But once they’ve finished growing, their flowers will always face east to greet the morning sun all summer and attract early morning pollinators.
“So if you are planting sunflowers, don’t plant them on the east side of your garden, as it will be your neighbours over the fence enjoying the pretty flowers while you spend the summer looking at the back of the flower.
“Plant sunflowers on the west side of your garden. That way, the gorgeous flowers face into your garden and not your neighbour’s.”
Garden lovers have been enlightened by Simon’s valuable advice on sunflower positioning, with a flood of appreciative comments from people who had no clue about the sun-following behaviour of these towering blooms.
Fellow green-thumbed enthusiasts also shared their handy tips for dealing with this distinctive trait, suggesting the savvy idea of potting the plants to swivel them as desired once they blossom.
One follower remarked: “I planted mine in pots so I can turn them the right way once they flower.”
A second added: “That’s so interesting. We commented last year about some beautiful sunflowers pointing away from a neighbour’s garden and how disappointing it must be to not see them. We enjoyed them, though!”.
A third expressed: “My absolute bugbear. My neighbours enjoy my sunflowers much more than I do.”
How to grow sunflowers
Cultivating sunflowers is quite straightforward. If starting with seeds, sow them directly into the soil before the end of May. For those opting for a head start with a garden centre purchase, planting can begin in May or June.
While sunflowers aren’t particularly demanding plants, it’s essential to remember that they shoot up quickly, reaching towering heights of over two metres within three months, so make sure there’s ample room in your garden for these sunny giants to thrive.
According to Gardener’s World, sunflowers require only a sunny spot and good soil. They require frequent watering and weekly feeding with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser. You might also need to stake taller varieties to prevent them from becoming top-heavy and drooping.
Once they’ve flowered, you can either deadhead the spent blooms or leave the flowerhead intact for birds to feast on the seeds. You can also harvest these seeds yourself for cooking purposes or to sow them for the following year.