Did you know that the sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine? In fact, Ukraine produces more sunflower oil than any other country on the planet.
There has long been a particular fascination with the sunflower as it moves in response to the sun’s daily traverse across the sky. The young buds of sunflowers move every day from east to west to face the sun, finally settling on facing east when the flowers open. It gives sunflower fields an astonishing regularity with all flowers pointing in the same eastwards direction.
Thanks to the good people at Unwins Seeds and Suttons Seeds, I have sent out several hundred packs, and I can’t wait to see the bright yellow symbols of solidarity across the country in the summer. Alternatively, planting in the month of May means you can also sow the seeds directly into the garden soil where you want them to grow. Again, make a little hole in the soil about an inch under the surface, pop the sunflower seed in, give it water and let the magic of nature takeover.
Be warned, however, that slugs and snails love sunflowers and all your hard work could be easily obliterated in one night. Opt for environmentally sound barrier products like copper wire or sheep's wool that will keep slugs away from your flowers, but leave them alive and healthy for birds and hedgehogs to feed on.