The monolithic , energetic blooms of helianthus that tower like giants in open fields and orotund garden are a real spectacle ! But how about if you only have a small yard or even a terrace ? Or how about if You want a smorgasbord for a low boundary line or bed ? Then you are in luck , because there are gnome cultivar and even some modest raw mintage , and they are as striking and as colored as their bigger sis !
call “ sunflower ” because its expectant flush , actually an inflorescence , follows the Sun during the day , the genus Helianthus , and peculiarly its annual coinage , H. annuus , is a very decorative garden plant , but also used for solid food .
But it also pop the question us a groovy mountain chain and size ! The tallest can turn over 13 feet ( 4.0 m ) into the sky , but the little classic , allegedly the cultivar ‘ Elf ’ is only 16 inches ( 40 curium ) in height . However , perennial willow tree pull up stakes sunflower ( Helianthus salicifolius ) ‘ miserable Down ’ only reaches 12 inches ( 30 centimeter ) !
Source: Perennial resource
So , get quick for a sunstruck journey in the unusual world of short and little helianthus varieties , because there are quite a few that you could easily farm even in a modest sized container ! And they are not all yellow …
12 Dwarf but Eye Catching Sunflower Varieties
These are really small sunflower smorgasbord , none of them grows more than 3 feet marvelous ( 30 cm ) . But their blossoms can be quite boastful , and they follow in all warm colors !
And we desire to commence with a joyous note , with a dwarf variety that will add a smile on your boldness in the blistering and gay days of summer …
1. ‘Happy Days’ Sunflower (Heliopsis Helianthoides ‘Happy Days’)
We can start with a good humour cultivar of Helianthus helianthoides with a cheerful name : ‘ Happy Days ’ helianthus . This is a popular perennial salmagundi that only turn over 28 inches tall ( 70 cm ) , but it is also a clump forming herbaceous plant , so it spreads out as much as well .
And this means many peak head , even if not as monolithic as those of its famous relatives … In fact , each flower is 4 inch across ( 10 cm ) , not colossal , but still quite showy … And they also have a special lineament … They are full two-fold and they are anemone shaped . In fact , the ray petals are quite recollective , with subdued tips , but the disk blossoms , which are unremarkably almost invisible , get petaloids ( minor petals ) that give you a soft and downy center .
All this comes in the classic golden yellowness of this genus , but also for a very long clip , from mid summer to devolve ! It will also shape a slow clump of foliage with an herbaceous and rough texture . And it is also a winner of the honored Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society .
Source: Perennial resource
An gumptious dwarf variety , ‘ Happy Days ’ could cultivate well in small perennial borders in cozy distance , or as a excision flowers , and it would be fantabulous in a bungalow garden to sum up some vitality and light .
2. ‘Firecracker’ Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Firecracker’)
The annual ‘ Firecracker ’ cultivar is a near relative of the giant sunflowers we all know and look up to , but it will never grow to more than 3 foot tall ( 90 atomic number 96 ) . However , unlike ‘ Happy Days ’ it has an upright habit , and the inflorescences can be jolly big , between 4 and 6 inches across ( 10 to 15 centimetre ) .
Like its towering sisters , it will attract deal of butterflies , bees and pollinators in the summertime months , when it is in bloom … And it will do it thanks to its long and velvety light beam petals , which start off with a especially intense and deep , tender tonality of yellow at the steer , but they darken at the root , forming a halo of a copper to chocolate Orange River ! But the large cardinal disk bring this effect to new heights , with its super morose purpleness , which appears as black to the naked eye .
The leaves will uprise at the base and up the stem , and they are typically broad and jumpy looking , bright gullible . This variety is also a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society .
@pasquotanksurfer
Ideal for cut flush and containers , ‘ Firecracker ’ sunflower will also summate dividing line and accent to borders in a sunny and informal garden .
3. ‘Low Down’ Willow Leaved Sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius ‘Low Down’)
I suspect that ‘ modest Down ’ is indeed the short mixture of helianthus , and it is a cultivar of of the willow leaved species ( Helianthus salicifolius ) native to the United States . It is a clump forming perennial which produces scads of small flowers , about 2.5 inch across ( 6.0 cm ) and for a late season presentation .
In fact , they will take up in August and continue into gloaming . You would be forgiven if you confused them for daisy because they have long and deep but shiny golden yellow petals , which front a bit like multi rayed stars … front up into the sky , they come liberally at the top of the shrubby clump at the stem .
The central platter is small , brownish in people of color , but this does not seem to dissuade butterflies and even razzing that amount to feed on its nectar and then seeds . You may have pretend that it also has another unusual characteristic … The leaves are narrow and long , almost goad like , and they put up all right grain with their bright green shade .
@burgessgardens
‘ Low Down ’ willow tree leaved sunflower is the best variety for a rock garden , or to organize clumps in repeated beds or perimeter fronts . turn off it back as winter approach so it will come back in full strength yr after twelvemonth .
4. ‘Little Becka’ Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Little Becka’)
And we hail to a in particular lovesome cultivar of annual sunflower ( Helinathus annuus ) called ‘ Little Becka ’ . Rising to 2 to to 3 feet tall maximum ( 60 to 90 centimetre ) , it makes up for what i lacks in height with its very striking bloom … The 5 column inch wideheads ( 12.5 curium ) , or “ capitula ” ( for technicians ) appear in mid summer and they keep going for about two month , in lowly clump of about half a dozen at the top of the good and stout root .
And they are pack with muscularity ! In fact , it is one of the most colorful multifariousness you will ever find … On the ray petals , you will find intense shadowiness of deep chicken , but also orange , rust and in some cases , vibrant shades of red on the carmine side ! These tend to go from brighter at the tips , to darker , to imprint a bright ring on yellow tonalities at the core …
The effect is then completed by the big disk , which drift on the purplish to brownish range . The leave are what you would expect , laborious looking and broad , but on a smaller scale compare with her gargantuan sister .
@rootsandshootswalrod
‘ Little Becka ’ is the idealistic dwarf helianthus variety to bring the get-up-and-go of summertime to blossom beds or even short border with a potent and dramatic effect ! It will certainly draw a lot of attention from your visitor , as well as pollinators and birds ! P
5. ‘Mrs Mars’ Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Mrs Mars’)
Here is another striking variety of annual sunflower for you : ‘ Mrs Mars ’ … I do n’t sleep together if the name is due to its strange coming into court … For sure , it is a dwarf cultivar , only growing to about 2 feet in height ( 60 centimeter ) it still produce flower point that reach 5 to 6 inches across ( 12.5 to 15 cm ) during summer and the beginning of crepuscle .
But this cultivar is mainly take note for the original coloring that it display … ordinarily starting emollient white at the confidential information , the ray of light petals then blush to rose-colored tints that can deepen , maybe depending on lightness and stain conditions .
Sometimes , they strike perfect rose , but there are specimen that go quite deep , towards plum depth and even peak on dark reddish tint ! The large saucer in the middle is quite amazing too , of the darkest violet blueing you will ever see , almost fatal and even gleam in the Sun ! A attracter for pollinators and after in birds , like others , it has wide , almost heart shaped leaves to frame its floral display .
@odlaiadalen
One if the most originative and outstandingly colored diversity of midget sunflowers , annual ‘ Mrs Mars ’ will bestow an inebriating sense of touch of colouring material with its rosé wine tonalities to your cheery beds , and it is everlasting for containers as well .
6. Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
A whole different but still short , naturally midget variety is beach sunflower … That is , when it come up to height … Yes , because it inly maturate to a upper limit of 2 foundation tall ( 60 atomic number 96 ) but it spreads to 4 feet ( 120 cm ) ! Native of southern regions of the USA , this sprawl and creeping perennial is unique , because it likes dunes and sandy beaches , as the name suggests …
The blossom are very traditional look , like daisies ; they are only 3 inches across ( 7.5 cm ) and with 10 to 20 lucky xanthous ray petals , which are quite all-inclusive , ovate , and a little sullen brownish to purplish center . Despite the habit of the plant , they fall on forgetful but true and thin upright stems .
But the exceptional quality of Helinathus debilis is that it is in bloom all the way from spring to strike , and in areas where wintertime are mild , even all year round ! Even the foliage is quite distinctive ; the pocket-size leave are on an irregular basis lob and teethe and of a smart hay to lawn green color !
@bronzit_poet
Unlike other variety , beach sunflower is ideal as groundcover , and it will ferment wonderfully well in slopes and arenaceous dunes , even by the seaside and in coastal garden !
7. ‘Teddy Bear’ Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’)
Teddy bear is arguably one of the sweetest dwarf miscellanea of sunflower … A cultivar of Helianthus annuus , it was given a very disposed name indeed ! Why ? Well , just search at the blooms ! They look fluffy , full , soft , like a cuddly toy , in fact .
Round and globular , super fully treble , they resemble large forked marigold or dahlia , but if you look tight , you will find out that the dense golden yellowed petals that look like pelt are actually tenuous and recollective …
It is literally impossible to count them , they are un the hundreds for sure for each question ! These pompon blossoms are also quite showy , because if the industrial plant itself is little , they are not ! Each is about 5 inches across ( 12.5 cm ) , but it is their three dimensional quality that makes them unparalleled .
In fact , they are at the same time welcoming , playful , childish and sculptural ! Opening in mid summertime and continuing till lately in the season , and rest on riotous foliage , they offer an amazing floral spectacle which has gained it the coveted Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society !
‘ Little Bear ’ is the dwarf sunflower variety you want to grow to bring light and structure to your sunny flower bottom or down in the mouth herbaceous borders , and it makes a striking cut flower as well !
8. ‘Sundance Kid’ Sunflower (Helinathus annuus ‘Sundance Kid’)
‘ Sundance tyke ’ is one of the earliest dwarf cultivar of Heliantus annuus , but also one of the most original . In fact , it only reaches about 2 foot in height ( 60 cm ) , but it has a very potent , almost unruly personality … And this is all due to the flower heads , which , despite come on a miniature plant , range between 3 and 6 inches in diameter ( 7.5 to 15 cm ) , and they come in at the baksheesh of branched stems … But it is their visual aspect that hit them unique during the summer months , when they are in flush …
The double blossoms have bright gilt yellowish ray flower petal , foresighted and somewhat irregular in shape and habit . Move nigher to the center and you will see smaller , fairly fluffy and very dense petaloids in refinement of orange , copper , rust and ruddy brown … But then , you will still see the disk in the very kernel , with its very dark , brownish , almost black color ! It is a bit like a bull ’s optic , and the leaves are broad , bright green and very solid reckon indeed !
‘ Sundance Kid ’ is a dwarf yearly sunflower variety that call for a very informal scope indeed , like a well litflower bed or border front in a traditional looking garden , or in a container on a sunny and friendly , playful terrace .
@farmerbill88
9. ‘Dwarf Sunspot’ Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Dwarf Sunspot’)
‘ Dwarf Sunspot ’ one-year sunflower is a real miracle when it comes to sizing ! Yes , because the sturdy , direct upward stems will only reach 3 feet tall ( 90 atomic number 96 ) , but this dwarf miscellanea keep on the monolithic blossom head that you would normally find out on her tall and famous sis ! In fact , the bloom are huge , 10 to 12 inch across ( 25 to 35 inches ) and very traditional indeed !
This heirloom cultivar will blossom in summertime , when the Sun is high and raging , and you will find all the stunner of our star ponder in your garden ! The ray of light bloom are indicate , typically fond and vivacious golden yellow , and they are quite dense , forming a perfect crown ! The privileged record is very with child indeed , providing lots of floweret for bees , butterflies and pollinator , and then as many seed for picayune razz .
Its color go from chestnut orangish to darker shade of hot chocolate and even burnt sienna , and this induce a double-dyed bounteous eye in the middle of the floral display . The foliation is in the classic flesh and texture , but , being compact , it is much more dense than in the giant varieties we all well know .
A dearie for cut prime , ‘ Dwarf Sunspot ’ is also great in container or to furnish massive and traditional looking summertime flower in flower beds and herbaceous borders in an loose garden or terrace , and no other cultivar can give you the same “ countryside face ” as it does !
10. ‘Double Dandy’ Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Double Dandy’)
‘ treble Dandy ’ is one of the wildest looking nanus variety of annual sunflower you could ever grow in your garden . However , it is at the same time a very expressive and intense little plant … Let me explain it … develop only to 2 foot in acme ( 60 cm ) it has good sized bloom head , about 4 to 5 inches across ( 10 to 12.5 centimeter ) , so they are showy .
But what strikes you is a compounding of a mellow and lustrous palette with an rambunctious personality … The blooms have a exercise set of very irregular , even twisting and pointed ray petal that seem to rebel to any constabulary … And theseusually are on tonality of picket and bright uprise to magenta … Then , you will find a ringing of petaloids that are quite fluffy but – again – randomly arranged , and they hit deep notes on the purplish to burgundy range .
Finally , there is a fairly large key disc that takes up these shades and brings them to pitches of very dark purple , sometimes with purplish partial tone ! The exact range of a function changes , most belike due to sunlight and soil conditions , but the impression is always sinful and quite long indeed ! On the other hand , the foliage keeps the sandpaper texture and broad shape that we are used to with this genus …
‘ dual Dandy ’ is the dwarf sunflower diverseness you want to swan the dice and see what happen in your bloom beds and borders , because it breaks every dominion , but it is also suitable for containers on sunny terrace . For sure , it can bring that sense of wild beauty to any composing .
11. Pacino Series Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Pacino Series’)
I would care to stage some flyspeck counterpart now : the Pacino series of dwarf sunflower variety show . At are three at the consequence on the food market , but we might look more in the futurity , and you may also buy the seeds as a intermixture … rise to a maximal height of 2 feet ( 60 cm ) , whichever you choose you will still get middling large flower heads , of approximately 5 inches across ( 12.5 cm ) and for a long season , start in June and terminate in August .
Both have a balance frame , with long , elliptic and pointed solar day petals that form a crown around the disk , which is more or less of the same size as a single flower petal … This gives them a very harmonized personality , though there can be fragile variations . Now , ‘ Pacino Gold ’ is the deeper and brighter of the two , offer you golden yellow , as you might expect , but also a a snapper of the same superb vividness .
His brother ‘ Pacino Cola ’ has the same gloss , but the florets in the middle are grim , on the brownish side . in conclusion , the babe of this fellowship is called ‘ Pacino Lemon ’ , with a vivid tonality that tint on the melon vine to crayola range , and of course , also lemon ! And all will offer you the same and dense broad leaves along the stems , usually in a darkish unripened shade …
Of course , the main asset of the Pacino series of gnome sunflowers is that you could get persistence in shape and touchy variation with the slightly different shades and combination … It is skillful to fuse them up , as you may have guessed , in containers , or sunny borders – the choice is yours !
12. ‘Elf’ Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Elf’)
Finally , we end just where we began , with the short of all annual sunflower smorgasbord , the diminutive ‘ brownie ’ . In fact , as we said , it usually reaches only 16 inch in tallness at full matureness , which is 45 cm ! Then again , you could not await massive rosiness from to open on such small stems …
But still , this famous and much loved cultivar punches far above its weight unit , with blossom top dog that match the 4 inches in diameter ( 10 centimeter ) ! And they are quite attractive indeed … To start with , they are very balanced , with lots of long petals of the burnished golden yellowness ever , which cease in diffused points at the crest .
They are quite dense around the inflorescence , and they also have a velvet like grain . The disk is about the same diameter as one of these is in length , so you have a consonant 1/3 , 1/3 , 1,3 – very harmonious indeed ! The center is darker , with strong refinement of russet brown , which , however , will twist of the same colouring of the Sun itself as it matures .
What is more , it has very decorative leaves , which are broad and pointed , true , but they also tend to hang from the petioles pointing down . Apparently , it is also being made into a serial , with insidious magnetic variation in tonalities between the little sibling .
‘ brownie ’ is a classic of dwarf annual sunflowers , and a favorite , for its small size of it but bright and coloured beauty . It will definitely accommodate into a container , and that is precisely where most people grow it . However , if you have a poor bed that needs a burst of summertime energy un summertime – please be my guest !
Dwarf Sunflowers: Sort but Definitely Powerful!
you may find a few more gnome change of sunflower , especially Helianthus annuus cultivar , and novel ones are being bred all the clock time . However , most of the others are typically yellow-bellied , and they lack the personality and semblance reach of the ones we have picked for you .
But you may have noticed that there is no clearly and in full red blossom among these … It may total soon , as it has for their taller sisters , but if in the meantime you want to “ cheat ” a number … Mexican sunflower , Thitonia rotundifolia , does have a really midget and crimson to corrode variety , call ‘ Dwarf Fiesta del Sol ’ with efflorescence that would almost exceed for real helianthus ’ but they are only 2 to 3 inch across ( 5.0 to 7.5 cm ) .
write By
Amber Noyes was born and raised in a suburban California town , San Mateo . She holds a superior ’s level in horticulture from the University of California as well as a B in Biology from the University of San Francisco . With experience work on on an organic farm , pee preservation enquiry , farmers ’ market , and plant nursery , she understand what makes works prosper and how we can better understand the connexion between microclimate and plant wellness . When she ’s not on the land , Amber loves informing people of new melodic theme / things related to horticulture , especially organic horticulture , houseplants , and develop works in a little infinite .
