Focus on sunflowers

THERE’S something about holding a packet of sunflower seeds that makes you feel competitive. My children each sowed seed in small pots a couple of weeks ago, and as soon as the seedlings got growing it was all about whose was the tallest.

The name sunflower is translated literally from Helianthus annuus – heli means sun and anthus means flower. Their bright colour brings cheer into the garden and they’re exciting to grow. Sunflowers are also easy to grow and inexpensive. They add architectural stature to planting displays and they’re good for pollinators. Then later, once the flowerheads have dried, they provide food for birds.

There is also a lot of choice: although the traditional yellow sunflowers are