Where to Buy Sunflower Plants for Your Garden

Sunflowers are one of the most cheerful and iconic flowers you can grow. With their bright yellow petals and tall stalks, they bring sunshine to any garden. If you want to add sunflowers to your outdoor space, you first need to find where to purchase these happy plants. Luckily, sunflower plants are very easy to find from several sources.

Online Retailers Offer Convenience

One of the simplest ways to buy sunflower plants is from an online retailer Purchasing plants online provides great convenience, selection, and prices without leaving home Some top online stores for sunflower plants include

• GrowJoy – This site offers a nice selection of sunflower varieties in different heights and colors You can order plants suited for cut flowers, bird feeding, or stunning floral displays

• Burpee – A long-time favorite source for seeds and plants. Burpee provides a wide selection of sunflower options including unique dwarf and multi-branching types.

• American Meadows – Find classic tall sunflowers and miniature varieties perfect for containers.

• Brecks – This retailer offers sunflower lovers bundles and collections to enjoy several types. You can get mixes of colors heights and bloom times.

The convenience of online ordering makes buying sunflower plants for delivery to your door an easy choice.

Local Nurseries Have In-Person Advice

Another excellent option for purchasing sunflower plants is at your local garden nurseries. Visiting a local retailer allows you to hand pick the exact plants you want and get personalized advice. Good local sources include:

• Independent nurseries – Smaller neighborhood nurseries that focus on plants often have great selections chosen for your growing area. Ask which sunflowers do best locally.

• Farm and garden stores – Retailers like Tractor Supply, Farm & Fleet, and Farm Boy often carry plants including sunflowers ideal for rural gardens.

• Big box stores – Major chains like Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart stock sunflower plants, usually next to the vegetable starts. Variety is limited but prices can be low.

• Farmers markets – Many local farmers and nurseries sell plants at weekend markets. Chat with vendors to learn their sunflower growing tips.

Shopping locally allows you to see flower sizes, colors, and health before purchasing. You can also find locally adapted varieties.

Start Your Own Sunflower Seeds

For the most control over selection and timing, you can start sunflowers yourself from seed. This takes a bit more time and work but allows you to pick from the widest selection of sunflower types. Here’s a quick guide:

• Get seeds – Buy seed packets from garden centers, nurseries, hardware stores, or online. Heirloom and hybrid seeds give lots of variety.

• Start indoors – Plant seeds in pots indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Keep soil moist and warm (70°F) for germination.

• Move outside – After sprouting, harden off plants by setting them outdoors for short periods. Transplant into garden beds after the last spring frost.

• Direct sow – In warm climates, you can sow sunflower seeds directly in prepared garden soil after your frost date passes.

• Watch them grow – Sunflowers germinate readily and grow quickly. Make sure plants get full sun and consistent moisture.

With a bit of planning and care, starting sunflower seeds will reward you with a personalized crop of sunflowers tailored exactly how you envision.

Where to Find Specific Sunflower Varieties

Beyond the source, also consider which specific sunflower varieties best meet your gardening needs and preferences. Here are some places to find popular sunflower types:

• Tall sunflowers – Ideal for the traditional towering sunflower look. Find very tall heirloom varieties from Seed Savers Exchange.

• Dwarf sunflowers – Compact 1-3 foot plants perfect for pots and borders. American Meadows has a nice dwarf mix.

• Cutting flowers – For the best vase life, look for ProCut series from GrowJoy or Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

• Pollen-free – If allergy concerns, find male pollen-free sunflowers from Burpee.

• Unique colors – For red, burgundy, peach, and bicolor blooms try American Meadows or Seed Saver Exchange.

• Wild bird food – For large high-oil seeds loved by birds, Audubon Birdseed has a nice wildflower and sunflower mix.

With so many plant sources and sunflower varieties, you can find just the right plants to create your perfect patches of summer sunshine.

Tips for Buying Healthy Sunflower Plants

When purchasing potted sunflower plants, follow these tips to pick plants that will thrive in your garden:

• Inspect plants for disease and insect damage. Avoid any with spots, yellowing, or chewed leaves.

• Look for strong straight stems that can support large flower heads without staking.

• Seek plants with healthy green leaves and no sign of wilting or drought stress.

• For the best root development, select plants in 1-2 gallon pots vs tiny starter pots.

• Pick plants that are not root-bound or pot-bound yet. Check for circled roots.

• Search for plants just starting to bud vs fully blooming. Plants with buds will last longer.

• Read tags and descriptions to ensure you get the mature height, color, and bloom time you want.

Taking a little time to carefully choose healthy, non-stressed plants will help your sunflowers settle in quickly and grow their best in your outdoor space.

Order Early for the Best Selection

One final tip when buying sunflower plants for your garden is to shop early in the season. Place online orders or visit local retailers early in spring for the best selection. Availability becomes more limited later in the growing season.

Shopping early also allows you time topot up into larger containers for establishing more roots before transplanting into the garden. Place orders or make nursery trips in late winter through early spring.

Bring Cheery Sunflower Color to Your Garden

Few flowers represent summer as perfectly as the iconic sunflower. Follow this guide when planning where to purchase sunflower plants this year. Take advantage of the convenience of online ordering or the personal touch of local nurseries. Whichever option you choose, sunflower plants are sure to add joyful color and heigh to gardens, containers, and cut flower arrangements.