Jeanine Davis, NC Alternative Crops and Organics Program, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University. This study was conducted in 2001. New sunflower varieties are now available. The article remains for reference. (5/25/2022)
Growers indicated that they would like to use ornamental sunflowers outside their mazes, by their road signs, and to decorate their cornfield mazes. We put in a trial of 22 varieties of ornamental sunflowers. All seeds were obtained from Johnny's Selected Seeds. Below are pictures and comments on these varieties. Late planting (mid-June) probably reduced plant height and flower numbers on some varieties.
Branching with multiple flowers in autumn colors of oranges and reds. Flowers were 4-6 inches across. Plants were not even in height and ranged from 4-6 feet tall.
A very attractive flower in traditional sunflower yellow. Many multiple blooms, about 4 inches across. Very uneven plant height, ranged from 2-6 feet tall.
Bright yellow flowers about 10 inches across. Long feathery petals with brown center. Plants were fairly uniform in height, color and size, about 7 feet tall.
Beautiful dark red flowers with black centers. Very eye-catching. Branching with 4 inch blooms. Plants varied in height from 4 to 7 feet.
Dwarf plants under 3 feet tall with dark foliage. Very uniform, branching with lots of blooms. Medium yellow flowers with dark yellow centers, 4/5 inches across.
This variety has similar flowers to Sonja, with the wide petals, but the plants were much stronger and healthier looking. Great color, multiple blooms, 4-6 inches across, but plant height was not uniform and ranged from 1-4 feet.
Similar to Sunbeam but with darker centers. Single bloom per plant. Plants were fairly uniform and about 5 feet tall
Dwarf sunflower; under 3 feet tall. Unusual bronze to yellow flower with a very uneven brown center. Petals tended to curl, making flowers look wilted.
Golden yellow flowers with an almost orange center. Flowers were about 6 inches across and plants were about 5 feet tall.
A double, bicolor flower with dark red centers fading out to yellow tipped petals. Big clusters of 4 inch blooms on top of 6 foot tall plants. Very attractive.
Beautiful pale-lemon yellow flowers with very dark centers. This variety drew a lot of attention. Lots and lots of flowers about 6 inches across. Plants were about 4 feet tall.
Dark velvety red flowers with brown centers. Flowers were about 5 inches across on plants 5-6 feet tall.
