If you’re looking to add a touch of drama to your garden, skyscraper sunflowers are a perfect choice. These towering plants can reach heights of 12 feet or more, and their large yellow flowers are sure to turn heads. Best of all, Skyscraper sunflowers are relatively easy to care for and require little maintenance.
‘Skyscraper’ sunflower is known for its tall height and masses of bright flowers. These branching plants each grow multiple flowers and tend to reach maturity (about 12′ high) about 70-75 days after planting. The 14″-wide flowers are yellow, and the foliage is dark green. These large plants benefit from staking and grow well beside a wall or fence line.
Read on to learn all about Skyscraper sunflowers!
Skyscraper sunflower basics
Skyscraper Sunflowers are annual flowering plants that are also known as giant sunflowers. These tall plants can reach up to 12 feet in height and produce large yellow flowers.
These plants are a branching type that produces more than one flower per sunflower plant, as well as a host of large dark green leaves. Skyscraper sunflowers typically grow in the ground and do best in full sun. They are fairly easy to care for and require little maintenance.
How to grow Skyscraper sunflowers
Skyscraper Sunflowers grow best in a sunny planting location. Look for an area that receives a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. The soil should be well-drained and fertile. Add compost or manure to the planting area before sowing the seeds. For further details beyond what is available in this section, check out our ultimate guide to how to grow sunflowers.
How to plant Skyscraper sunflower seeds
To sow the seeds, make a small indentation in the soil with your finger. Place 2-3 seeds in the indentation and cover them with soil. The seeds should be about a half-inch deep. If you don’t have many seeds, just put one seed in each hole.
Sunflowers can be planted as close as 18″ apart, but you may want to leave several feet between each plant. Water well and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
Caring for Skyscraper sunflowers
Caring for skyscraper sunflowers starts with ensuring the plants have adequate amounts of water. While these plants are drought-tolerant, they won’t reach their full height if water is scarce. You’ll also want to pull nearby weeds and feed the plants with organic plant fertilizer.
Topping off Skyscraper sunflowers
Skyscraper sunflowers may need to be topped off, or pinched, to encourage branching and prevent the plant from becoming top-heavy. To do this, simply snip off the growing tip of the plant when it is about 18″ tall. This is optional, and your plants will usually be totally fine if you don’t do this.
Enjoying Your Skyscraper sunflowers
You can enjoy your skyscraper sunflowers in a number of ways. One is to let the plants grow and enjoy their statuesque beauty in the garden. You can also cut the flowers and bring them indoors to enjoy as part of a bouquet. The flower seeds can also be harvested and used for bird feed or roasted for a snack.
