Sunflower (Dwarf Varieties)
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), beloved for their golden faces that track the sun, are not just for spring plantings—certain dwarf varieties sown in early June still reach blooming height and add cheerful drama to gardens. Choose compact types like ‘Teddy Bear’ or ‘Sunny Smile,’ which grow 1–2 feet tall and bloom about 60 days after sowing. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in fertile, well-draining soil with full sun exposure, spacing them 6–12 inches apart. Within two weeks, bright green seedlings appear, and those iconic petals burst open by late July or early August.
These cheerful flowers are magnets for pollinators: honeybees and native sweat bees forage the disk florets for pollen, while butterflies and hoverflies visit for nectar. Plus, the broad leaves create shade underneath, offering refuge for small ground beetles that hunt slugs and caterpillars in the soil. Since sunflowers can self-seed, adult plants that drop seeds in late summer may pop up volunteers next year—so if you want a tidy look, remove spent heads before full seed maturation. Dwarf sunflowers brighten container gardens and borders alike, ensuring that even a June planting yields that iconic “sunny” vibe all summer long.