Trailing Sunflowers

[marchogaeth]

I have acquired some trailing sunflowers, the plants are about 10-15cm tall, I noticed that some of them already have flower heads on what looks like the main growing point. Are these likely to stop the plants growing? Should I nip them off?

I always think flowers are a nice idea but really I'm not up to anything that isn't a type of marigold or cerinthe!

[Matt94]

Hi marchogaeth, I haven't grown trailing sunflowers before however I do know that standard sunflowers do usually send of secondary shoots at the leaf joints which I presume these will too, however I can't see that nipping the main flower head out would benefit the plants. May I ask how big they are?

[marchogaeth]

May I ask how big they are?

..... the plants are about 10-15cm tall, ....

I had a close look (ie wore lenses!) and I think there are signs of side shoots so I will wait and see.

[Two_Sheds]

flowers are a nice idea but really I'm not up to anything that isn't a type of marigold or cerinthe

Stick to hardy annuals then: just sow them, plant them out then forget about them. Let them self-seed every year after that
You could add scabious, myosotis, limnanthes to your repertoire until you find your feet