Sunflowers

[Worksmart]

I seem to recall reading/hearing something about sunflowers and other plants having problems growing in close proximity. I'd like to incorporate some sunflowers with a perennial flower garden/border. Anybody shed some light on this thought?? Thanks, C

 

[tgello]

c, the plant it self is not a problem growing with other plants ,but the shells from the seeds that fall off the flower head that will cause a problem with stuff growing close to them. not sure what it is , but i was told by the "boss" that the shells give off a chemical compound that stops the growth of plants. she has taken classes in horticulture. thats why your not suppose to compost the flower head.. hope this helps. grow lots of sun flowers, thier unreal flowers. i grow alot of the ones that are called either russian reds or russian velvet. they are multi-head flowers.....tgello

 

[TonyC]

It is correct that the seeds may be "unfriendly" to other plants but for the most part the seeds stay on the head. When they start to droop at the end of the season you can cut them off and hang them somewhere else for the birds to feast on. We interplant with sunflowers all the time with no problem.