fbpx

Skyscraper sunflower

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

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.

Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a passionate gardener and well-acclaimed authority in the world of horticulture. As a certified Master Gardener and Permaculture Garden Designer with over a decade of hands-on experience, she has honed her skills to cultivate a deeper understanding of the natural world around us. Beyond her gardening prowess, Mary Jane holds a distinct edge as a Professional Engineer, an expertise that often intertwines with her gardening methodologies, bringing a unique perspective to her readers.

She is the proud founder of the renowned gardening website, Home for the Harvest, a platform dedicated to helping fellow gardeners, both novice and experienced, find their green thumbs. Her gardening expertise hasn't gone unnoticed; she's been spotlighted as a go-to gardening expert by notable publications like Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Mother Earth News, Real Simple, and the National Garden Bureau.

Delving deep into specific fields of study within horticulture, Mary Jane has an extensive knowledge base on sustainable gardening practices (including permaculture), soil science, and selecting cultivars well-suited to home gardeners. Her passion isn't just limited to plants; she's a staunch advocate for holistic, eco-friendly gardening techniques that benefit both flora and fauna.

Currently residing in the picturesque Okanagan Valley, Mary Jane cherishes the time she spends with her family amidst nature, always exploring, learning, and growing both as a gardener and as an individual.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *