27 Stunning Sunflower Varieties to Grow This Season (2024)

When I daydream about summer, sunflowers always come to mind. Their happy yellow flowers are quintessential to any summer garden. There are many different sizes and colors available to suit every gardener’s needs. These beloved flowers are well known to us all with their happy yellow petals and brown center.

In most climates’ sunflowers, Helianthus annus, grow as annuals which are best sown right into your garden soil. They are easy to grow from seed, and low maintenance when fully grown. They are fast growing and will bloom from mid-summer into the fall. Sunflowers are also very easy to grow and require very little from us aside from possible staking and watering.

If you are on the hunt for a new sunflower variety, take a peek at this list, and you should find a perfect sunflower variety for your garden this season.

‘Arikara’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 8-10 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Arikara’ is a lovely golden yellow tall sunflower. Reaching up to 10 feet in height, this sunflower is single-stalked but will produce many flower heads per stalk. The flowers are a pretty yellow with a hint of orange.

These petals will be arranged around a brown disc center. Support the tall stalks of this sunflower until they are sturdy enough, or plant them along a fence for season-long support.

‘Busy Bee’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3-4 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Busy bee’ is the perfect short sunflower. Its golden yellow petals surround a deep brown center disc. Each plant consists of one long stem with one flower atop the stem.

Plant ‘busy bee’ close together, and your garden will be buzzing with pollinators. This is a great sunflower to use to accent your gardens, but it is equally as beautiful when planted in a cutting garden with the sole purpose of using them in bouquets.

‘Candy Mountain’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow and Red
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 8-10 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Candy mountain’ is a beautiful branching sunflower variety. The flowers on ‘candy mountain’ are pretty yellow and red, producing a flame-like appearance.

The center of this sunflower is brown. Each ‘candy mountain’ plant will be covered with flowers as each branch will create its own collection of flowers. While this is a tall plant, it is still an excellent option for a smaller garden because one single plant will produce so many beautiful blossoms.

‘Claret’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Red
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5-6 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Claret’ is a beautiful deep red sunflower. Growing to 6 feet in height, these red flowers will reach up to 6 inches across. The center of this sunflower is a deep brown and will be filled with edible seeds by the end of the season.

‘Claret’ is a fast-growing sunflower that will jump to its maximum height in no time. Plant ‘claret’ in the back of a sunny garden or in your cutting garden for beautiful indoor arrangements.

‘Evening Sun’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Orange, Red
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 6-8 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

The ‘evening sun’ sunflower offers a beautiful orange and red flower head for gardeners searching for something a bit different. The flowers of the ‘evening sun’ variety will reach 6-10 inches in diameter.

The growth habit of this sunflower is branching, which means there will multiple stems with multiple flowers on each plant. ‘Evening sun’ will bloom from summer through fall. Be sure to snip some of these beauties for your indoor fall arrangements. Their flowers will last for two weeks in a vase.

‘Firecracker’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow with orange ring
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 2-3 feet tall, 1 foot wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Firecracker’ is a pretty sunflower that is well-branched. Each of these branches will have blossoms growing from them. The flowers are the standard golden yellow. However, ‘firecracker’ has a fun surprise.

There is an orange ring on the petals surrounding the chocolate brown center dist, giving the illusion of an exploding firework display. Support ‘firecracker’ until it is mature enough to support the 4-6 inch flowers. Try planting this sunflower in containers, a sunny border, or a perennial garden.

‘Floristan’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow and Red
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3-5 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Floristan’ has beautiful bicolored flowers, and each flower will be a little bit different. Some flowers will be mostly yellow with a red ring near the center. Others will be almost entirely reddish brown with yellow tips to the petals.

The center disc is a deep chocolate brown. ‘Floristan’ is great for a cutting garden, but it is also beautiful when planted in your sunny borders and perennial gardens.

‘Giant Sungold’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Golden yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5-6 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Giant sungold’ is another fluffy sunflower option for your gardens. Similar to ‘Teddy Bear’ and ‘Golden honey bear’, this sunflower produces fully double flowers, which result in a pom-pom-looking bloom.

These fun 10-inch flowers will attract pollinators of all varieties. ‘Giant sungold’ would be lovely planted in the back of your perennial gardens, as well as throughout your containers.

‘Goldy Honey Bear’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5-6 feet tall, 1-2 feet tall
	hardiness zones 2-11

If you are a fan of the teddy bear sunflower, ‘goldy honey bear’ offers the same fluffy flowers on top of much taller stalks. These pom-pom flowers can reach up to 7 inches in diameter. The centers of these flowers are a light green until the flower matures.

The centers will then turn brown. The stalks are nice and strong and will not require any staking. Plant a ‘goldy honey bear’ in the back of a bed or use it in a mass planting.

‘Jua Maya’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4-5 feet tall, 1 foot wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Jua Maya’ is a picture-perfect sunflower. Reaching 5 feet in height, these straight stems produce yellow flowers with a brown center. ‘Jua Maya’ is a nice cut flower.

Plant seeds three times throughout the summer to ensure that you have blossoms all season long with plenty left over to fill your vases. The flowers on ’Jua Maya’ are pollen-free, making them mess-free in your home.

‘Gypsy Charmer’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow and Rose
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4-6 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Gypsy Charmer’ is a pretty pink and yellow sunflower. Reaching up to 6 feet in height, this sunflower will explode with bicolored flowers that can reach 8 inches in diameter. Lemon yellow, golden yellow, and shades of rose can be found on these flowers.

‘Gypsy charmer’ has a lovely branching habit, each branch with flowers of its own, creating a profusion of color. Plant ‘gypsy charmer’ in your cutting garden as well as in the back of your sunny gardens.

‘Kong’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 12-14 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Kong’ is a giant sunflower variety growing up to a towering 14 feet tall, with cases reported of heights of 17 feet! ‘Kong’ produces strong and sturdy stalks that will support flowers that reach 10 inches in diameter.

Unlike some of the other giant sunflowers, ‘kong’ has a branching habit which means there will be more sturdy branches per plant, with more flowers! Its petals are a classic golden yellow, with a chocolatey brown center disc. Plant ‘kong’ closely together to create a stunning privacy screen.

‘Lemon Queen’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 6-8 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Lemon queen’ is the best tall sunflower with light yellow petals. These light-yellow flowers will grow to 5 inches across and will have a nice brown center. While the main stem will reach 8 feet in height, the branches of ‘lemon queen’ will reach 6 feet in height and will have flowers of their own.

Plant with darker-colored perennials or annual flowers for a great accent. Sow seeds a few weeks apart to create a long bloom time for your ‘lemon queen’ sunflowers.

‘Mammoth Grey Stripe’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 9-12 feet, 3-4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

Plant ‘mammoth grey stripe’ in your garden if you are looking for massive height! This sunflower variety boasts bright yellow petals with a deep brown center until the center becomes loaded with seeds. The flowers can reach up to 1 foot across and are supported on thick stalks.

Bees and pollinators alike will flock to these mammoth flowers. Plant ‘mammoth grey stripe’ in the back of a border, in a cutting garden, or as a seasonal privacy screen.

‘Ms. Mars’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Reddish Purple
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 2-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

There are many deep red sunflowers on the market, ‘Ms.Mars’ is a lighter option for gardeners who are looking for the classic lines of a sunflower with a splash of color.

The petals on ‘Ms. Mars’ will be a wine red for most of the summer, but as fall approaches, the petals will fade to a pretty shade of pink. This is a low-growing sunflower, making it versatile in your garden. Add it to containers or your sunny gardens for a pop of summer and fall color.

‘Pike’s Peak’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 12-15 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

If you are in it for the seeds, this is the sunflower for you. ‘Pike’s Peak’ has the largest sunflower seeds out there, and large seeds typically mean large plants. These tall sunflowers support large yellow flowers that can reach up to 14 inches in diameter.

Use ‘Pike’s peak’ in the back of a sunny flower garden or plant many plants in a mass to create some privacy from neighbors or to create a boundary in your yard.

‘Rouge Royale’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Red
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4-6 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

If you are looking for a red sunflower, this is it. Stop looking. ‘Rogue royale’ is a stunning sunflower. Its petals are a true red, and the flowers can grow up to 6 inches in diameter. ‘Rogue royale’ is a branching sunflower that will produce flowers all season long.

Be sure to add some of these plants into your cut flower garden. The cut stems will last for weeks in a vase. Try planting ‘rogue royale’ in a sunny border or perennial gardens.

‘Soraya’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Orange
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5-6 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Soraya’ is a really pretty orange sunflower. This variety of sunflower will reach 6 feet in height and is well-branched. ‘Soraya’ will produce loads of 6-inch bright orange flowers throughout the summer and fall. Each of these flowers will have a traditional chocolate brown center.

Pollinators of all sorts are attracted to these blossoms. ‘Soraya’ is a self-supporting sunflower and should not need any staking. Plant in your cutting gardens, as well as the back of your sunny gardens.

‘Strawberry Blonde’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Light yellow and Pink
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5-6 feet tall, 2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Strawberry blonde’ is an absolutely beautiful addition to your summer and autumn gardens. This sunflower is well-branched and will be full of gorgeous flowers. These flowers are particularly stunning.

The colors on the petals are a beautiful mix of lemon yellow and various shades of pink. These multicolored flowers will reach up to 6 inches in diameter. This is a pollen-free variety, which makes for an excellent cut flower. Be sure to add ‘strawberry blonde’ to your cutting gardens.

‘Sunny Bunch’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 2-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet tall
	hardiness zones 2-11

A petite version of a true sunflower, ‘sunny bunch’ is a great sunflower for smaller spaces or containers in your garden. Growing to a max of 3 feet in height, ‘sunny bunch’ is a branched variety with numerous 7-inch flowers topping the plant off.

This variety is particularly beautiful when planted in a hedge form. The foliage, paired with the flowers, creates a nice wall of summer growth.

‘Sunray Yellow’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 1-2 feet, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

This is a uniquely dwarf sunflower that gives you all of the bangs of a sunflower without staking the towering varieties. ‘Sunray yellow’ will only reach about 2 feet in height, but it will be covered in over one dozen 4-inch flowers on each plant.

The flowers have the classic sunflower appearance with bright yellow petals and a dark brown center disc. This makes a great bedding annual in the front of your perennial gardens. It is also wonderful for containers as well as smaller gardens.

‘Suntastic Pink’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow and Red
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

A sweet pink dwarf sunflower would be perfectly used in containers are smaller gardens. ‘Suntastic Pink’ is that sunflower. Growing only to 2 feet, this sunflower variety will produce bicolored flowers of yellow and rosy, red which surround a black center disc.

‘Suntastic pink’ will produce three waves of flowers to keep the blooms filling your garden all summer long. These flowers will grow to about 6 inches in diameter. ‘Suntastic pink’ is pollen-free and would be lovely used as a cut flower.

‘Teddy Bear’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 2-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet tall
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Teddy bear’ is one of my favorite sunflowers and is the variety I grow each summer in my garden with my sons. The flowers on this sunflower are unique. They are true double flowers and look like the belly of a teddy bear.

‘Teddy bear’ is a bushy sunflower and will produce many branches with many 6-inch flowers all summer long and well into the fall. This is a great sunflower to grow in containers or in a perennial garden.

‘Tiger Eye’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Yellow and Red
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 2-3 feet tall, 2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Tiger eye’ is an excellent bicolor sunflower. This plant has a branching habit that will support up to 8 flowers that will reach 5 inches in diameter. The center disc, which is deep brown, attracts bees, birds, and pollinators alike.

Plant ‘tiger eye’ in containers or patio pots, as well as throughout your sunny gardens. This is also an excellent sunflower for cutting gardens since it produces so many flowers. The plant won’t completely die if you snag a few stems for your vases.

‘Torch Mexican Sunflower’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Orange
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4-6 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

Mexican sunflowers, including the ‘torch’ variety, love the heat! These flowers can grow as perennials in zones 9-11. Both hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to these sunflowers, making ‘torch’ a great addition to wildflower gardens or butterfly gardens.

‘Torch’ has a branching growth habit that will grow quickly and will be covered in bright orange flowers that closely resemble daisies. Plant a ‘torch’ as a back border to hide some of the branching stems and accentuate the bright flowers.

‘Valentine’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Lemon Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4-5 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Valentine’ is a great variety for you if you are looking for a softer yellow sunflower. Growing to 5 feet tall, ‘valentine’ has a branched growth habit that will be covered in heart-shaped leaves.

These branches will also be flush with 7-inch flowers, which are light yellow, surrounding a dark chocolate center disc. Support ‘valentine’ if it is growing in a breezy area of your yard. Plant in your cutting garden and your sunny borders.

‘Vanilla Ice’

	plant type Annual
	bloom colors Pale Yellow
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Vanilla Ice’ offers a pretty pale-yellow sunflower. Growing to 5 feet tall, this sunflower is multi-branches and will carry many 3–5-inch blossoms. This is a nice choice if the golden yellow of a traditional sunflower doesn’t quite fit your garden aesthetic.

The center of ‘vanilla ice’ is a deep brown disc. Plant ‘vanilla ice’ on its own in a mass planting for a very whimsical cottage garden feel. Or sprinkle these pretty sunflowers throughout your perennial gardens.