Sunflowers

Why grow Sunflowers ?

I like to grow sunflowers to provide summer shade in the garden.
I have been growing them for so long now that they seed themselves. I allow them to grow, if they provide shade for crops. Those that do not provide shade or are in the pathways and so on, are removed and composted. It is bit of a hit or miss thing sometimes, but generally has worked well.
I do prune off the lower branches as they grow and end up with "sunflower trees".
The variety of sunflowers are unknown, but they are not the large dinner plate size flowers, but rather a small, branching variety, with many smaller flowers. Often termed "wild sunflowers" perhaps ?

 

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