If you love these flowers as much as we do, you’ll be amazed to know that there are 26 different types of sunflowers you can grow! Sunflowers are one of the most popular flowers.
They’re cheery and brighten up any floral arrangement or landscape. You’re probably thinking of the typical tall yellow sunflower, the Helianthus annuus, but there are many more varieties out there in many colors!
Sunflowers can be brown, burgundy, red, pink, orange, yellow, pale yellow, and even a combination of these colors. Many varieties are striped or mottled with two or three different shades.
Let’s look at the different types of sunflowers you can add to your yard to create a warm rainbow.
Sunflowers are classified as either annual or perennial. If you don’t have a preference for what the sunflowers look like in your yard, then you don’t have to worry about identifying them.
However, if you don’t want bushy flowers that will take over an entire flower bed, you may want to learn the differences. Annuals complete their entire lifecycles in one year.
You typically plant the seeds in the spring and then they grow and die before winter. The plant can only come back by dropping its seeds, and then those seeds will sprout the following spring.
Annuals typically have one thick stem and a deep taproot. Perennials will die back in the winter, but they’ll come back next year.
Perennials can last several years if the conditions are just right, but they can die eventually. They can drop seeds, but they’ll also spread by rhizomes.
Rhizomes and multiple stems are the common characteristics of perennial sunflowers. Perennials can become invasive and weedy if you don’t prune them each year.
1. Common
Helianthus annuus, annual
The common sunflower is the typical sunflower you see in art and cut flower arrangements.
Many types of sunflowers are just cultivars or hybrids of the common sunflower, so they share many common characteristics.
It can grow between 3-10 feet (0.91-3 meters) and can survive in most USDA hardiness zones.
2. Earthwalker
Helianthus annuus, annual
The earthwalker sunflower has a dark brown center and has bright multi-colored petals that can include a mix of brown, red, orange, and yellow.
They grow to be quite tall at 7-9 feet (2.1-2.7 meters) and attract many kinds of pollinators.
3. Giant
Helianthus giganteus, perennial
Ironically, the giant sunflower is nowhere near as tall as other varieties like the Russian mammoth.
It grows up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall and produces several small flowers.
If you allow it to grow and reseed as it pleases, it will begin to look like a bush and take over the area, hence why they call it a giant.
4. Italian White
Helianthus debilis, perennial
The Italian white sunflower is primarily white with a brown center and will have a bit of orange or yellow in the middle.
It can grow up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall but has a small diameter so it won’t overpower your flower beds.
5. Jerusalem Artichoke
Helianthus tuberosus, perennial
The Jerusalem artichoke is known for being used as a food crop by Native Americans or used to feed livestock.
The plant’s root system grows tubers that can be cooked and eaten similarly to a potato. It grows to be 4-10 feet (1-3 meters) tall and can spread quickly.
Many people consider it to be a weed.
6. Lemon Eclair
Helianthus annuus, perennial
The lemon eclair is a pollen-free cultivar, so they’re great to use in flower arrangements because they won’t be messy.
The flowers are small, and the plant only reaches up to 4 feet (1 meter), so it’s a delicate addition to the garden.
7. Lemon Queen
Helianthus annuus, perennial
The almost neon yellow petals of the lemon queen sunflower will grab your attention!
They have dark green foliage that makes the flowers stand out even more, and they can grow to an impressive 7 feet (2.1 meters) and create a bushy look.
8. Little Becka
Helianthus annuus, annual
The little Becka sunflower is the perfect choice for cut flower arrangements. It’s pollen-free and has 5-inch (12 centimeters) flower heads that have bright copper tones that will surely catch your eye.
9. Maximilian
Helianthus maximiliani, perennial
The Maximilian sunflower ranges from 3-10 feet (0.91-3 meters) in height and has several flowers on each plant.
It’s native to prairies in the United States so it will make a great addition to wild gardens and will provide food for native pollinators.
10. Moulin Rouge
Helianthus annuus, annual
The Moulin Rouge sunflower will provide a stark contrast in the garden because of its deep burgundy color.
Some varieties will have some yellow in the center and on the outer edge, while others will be a solid dark red or brown.
It can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters), making it a medium height.
11. Ms. Mars
Helianthus annuus, annual
Ms. Mars is a stunning pinkish-purple sunflower that won’t look like the others in your garden. It’s a small variety, measuring only 2-3 feet (60-91 centimeters).
The flowers are only a few inches in diameter, but their unique pink hues will surely make them noticeable.
12. Pastiche
Helianthus annuus, annual
Pastiche sunflowers have pointed petals and can be dark red, bright orange, yellow, or a sandy tan.
They grow to be 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and will add some unique neutral tones to the flower beds.
When paired with other bright flowers, they’ll stand out by not standing out!
13. Red Sun
Helianthus annuus, annual
The red sun sunflower boasts beautiful red hues. They’ll sometimes look brown or orange instead, but they look gorgeous in the light of a bright sunset.
They’re a medium height, growing up to 6 feet (1.8 meters).
14. Ring of Fire
Helianthus annuus, annual
The ring of fire has yellow petals with a red ring on the inside, creating a stunning display.
It grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) and can take up to 120 days to bloom, making it an end of summer and early fall bloom.
Summer gardens start dying out around this time, so it’s the perfect transitional plant.
15. Russian Mammoth
Helianthus annuus, annual
The Russian mammoth is one of the biggest sunflowers you can find.
It’ll grow taller than most backyard fences, reaching up to a whopping 10-15 feet (3-4 meters) tall and a 20-inch (50 centimeters) diameter.
The seeds are large and are perfect for eating if you can get to the seeds before the birds do.
16. Sawtooth
Helianthus grosseserratus, perennial
Sawtooth sunflowers tend to reach only 5 feet (1.5 meters) when grown in clumps but can grow up to 12 feet (3 meters) if they’re grown alone. They produce several flowers on each plant with pointy, yellow petals.
17. Scheweinitz’s Sunflower
Helianthus schweinitzii, perennial
Scheweinitz’s sunflower is an endangered species native to North Carolina and South Carolina.
Removing their natural habitat has put this species in danger, so growing it in your garden will help it live to see another day.
It has small yellow flowers and multiple stems, but this dainty species can sometimes reach a massive 16 feet (4.8 meters)!
18. Stiff
Helianthus pauciflorus, perennial
The stiff sunflower has a yellow or brown center with 10-25 yellow petals surrounding it. It can reach 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters) in height, making it a good choice for low-lying gardens.
19. Strawberry Blonde
Helianthus annuus, annual
If you’re looking for something unique to add to your array of sunflowers, look no further than the strawberry blonde.
It’s the only pinkish sunflower you’ll find that’s complemented with pale yellow on the edges. It can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and 6 inches (15 centimeters) in diameter.
20. Sunspot
Helianthus annuus, annual
The sunspot sunflower is a dwarf variety that only reaches up to a few feet tall, but it has a diameter of 10 inches (25 centimeters) so it’s still a substantial addition to the garden.
21. Swamp (Narrowleaf)
Helianthus giganteus, perennial
The swamp sunflower is also commonly known as the narrow-leaf sunflower. It has thin, wispy leaves and a bright red stem, making it much different from other sunflower species.
It’s a short species, not reaching more than 3 feet (91 centimeters).
22. Teddy Bear
Helianthus annuus, annual
The teddy bear sunflower has a fluffy yellow appearance and only grows up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall. This paper-mache-like sunflower will add a bit of whimsy to your garden and probably won’t look like anything else you’re growing!
23. Terracotta
Helianthus annuus, annual
Terracotta sunflowers have multicolored petals that include a rusty red or brown with some golden yellow. Some varieties are light, while others are dark.
They’d make an excellent cut flower for arrangements at the end of summer leading into early fall. They only reach up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall, so they won’t create too much shade in the garden.
24. Valentine
Helianthus annuus, annual
You’d think the valentine sunflower would be red, but this one is a pale yellow. It grows to be up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and 7 inches (17 centimeters) in diameter.
The almost white flowers are a great way to brighten up the landscape.
25. Western
Helianthus annuus, perennial
The western sunflower has a yellow center surrounded by pointed yellow petals with black speckles. This sunflower can be easily identified by the lack of leaves on the stems.
It only grows to be 3 feet (91 centimeters) tall but will produce many gorgeous small flowers.
26. Woodland
Helianthus divaricatus, perennial
The woodland sunflower is a short variety, reaching only 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters). The plant will spread aggressively and can take on a bushy appearance if you allow it to grow in clumps.
The flowers are small, so they’ll have an interesting appearance in the garden.