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1) Plant as many different varieties as possible. Different forms, colors and heights add visual interest in the garden and vase.
2) Stagger plantings over the early summer weeks, succession plantings will ensure that you have blooms all through the summer season and into the fall, and also that your sunflower gardens remain vibrant looking all season long. This is the single most important tip to follow!
3) For medium and large beds plant taller sunflowers at the rear of the bed and the shortest sunflowers near the front, medium height sunflowers go in the center of the bed.
4) As the name implies, sunflowers need lots of sun. Sunflowers grown in full sun have vibrant color, great foliage and strong stems.
5) When designing sunflower gardens, keep in mind that when mature, sunflower heads will almost always face East.
6) Cut spent blooms and plants. Spent blooms can weight down the plants, shading the still growing, remaining flowers. Also if the entire plant is spent, it's best to remove it- if you have followed our "staggered plantings" tip, there will be plenty of new plants to fill the spot. Hint: when removing old plants, do not pull them out, this could disturb the roots of neighboring sunflowers. Instead use a knife or shears to cut the stalk at the base.
7) Create a barrier or focal point with a hedgerow of tall sunflowers. Giant varieties reach heights of up to 15 feet! With their large leaves and bright yellow flowers, you will have an instant living fence in no time at all!
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