PlantFiles: Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'Mammoth'

Planted ours a bit late and as such they did not grow to the common monster proportions they are known for...but they still gave us very beautiful flowers on stalks that reached about the five foot mark.

These grew well in my poor soil. Should have followed advice to plant in stages to assure longer bloom. My only complaint is the short life of the flower. It's perfect for only a few days, then bows and faces the ground. Bought seed from Ferry-Morse.

From your friends at Botanical Interests: Towering in the garden at 6'-10' tall, these Mammoth (also called Mammoth Russian) sunflowers often have seed heads that are up to 1' across! This popular heirloom variety has been grown in gardens since the late 1800's. You can grow them for use as cut flowers - (one flower would fill a vase), as a fun fast-growing variety for a kid's garden, to eat the abundant sunflower seeds, or to provide winter fare for birds. (Note: Start from seed indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting outside if you have trouble with birds or other critters eating your seeds or young seedlings outdoors.)

These are great, you just have to watch them when they are small because the animals like them. Last year mine got eaten one night. It was there when i went to bed and the next day it was gone and the stalk had chew marks all over it. When that does'nt happen, growing sunflowers is very rewarding.

Great sunflower kids love it and it attracts lots of birds!~