Tips for Where to Plant Mammoth Russian Stripe Sunflowers

I was given sunflower seeds by a neighbor this summer. I have never planted sunflowers before so I had to figure out where to plant sunflowers. Along the way I found out many things about sunflowers. This article is based on the Mammoth Russian Striped varieties which are huge sunflowers and are of the annual variety.

Sunlight Considerations

Sunflowers need lots of sun. When you plant sunflowers you must remember to use an area which gets more than six hours of sunlight. Sunflowers can be planted alongside gardens, in flowerbeds, and around lampposts. Sunflowers should not be planted next to buildings, sheds, or solid fencing unless they are on the eastern side of the building. This is because sunflowers will face east to meet the sun. You don't want to plant sunflowers in woody areas because they will be competing for sunlight with trees and tall brush.

Wind Considerations

Another issue to consider when thinking of where to plant sunflowers is the amount of wind the area gets. Sunflowers are not wind proof. The higher they get the more prone they are to strong wind. If you plant sunflowers, do not plant them in draft or "corridor" areas where the wind builds up speed and power. You should stake the taller varieties to make sure they stay standing (similar to tomato plants).

Height Considerations

Where you plant sunflowers also must be free of height restrictions. Mammoth Russian Stripe sunflowers can grow to eight feet high; dwarf sunflowers will only get up to three feet in height in comparison. With larger plants the flowers can get to be a foot in diameter and will cause the plant to bend at the top. Anything next to them will become shaded by the flower and the large leaves which can get to be up to one foot square in size.

Animals and Bugs

This is another consideration which I found after planting the Mammoth Russian Stripe sunflowers. Rabbits and squirrels love the leaves of young sunflower plants. Don't plant your sunflowers near wooded or overgrown areas because of the rabbits and squirrels. Also be aware that if you plant this variety near your house, you will find bees nearby windows. Bees love sunflowers. You will also find ladybugs in groups on the leaves, both red and yellow speckled varieties. Another creature to watch for, crows. Crows like the seeds as do smaller birds.

Decorative Considerations

These sunflowers make great decorations for a flower bed or edging of a patio. Just remember, because of their size and height, keep them in the background or along the rear of the bed to allow anything smaller to have enough sunlight. Mammoth Russian Striped sunflowers can also hide other plants which are below them.

When you have figured where to plant your sunflowers, you can expect a cool show. Mammoth Russian Striped sunflowers grow into a bright yellow ball of color. Once they bloom, the center will be yellow, but will slowly turn to black. This variety can have centers which bulge out to resemble beach balls cut in half. The flower will last for about two weeks and then wilt quickly. The entire plant begins to rot soon after and eventually collapses under its own weight. If you are harvesting the seeds, you can do so after the pedals have passed.