When To Plant Perennial Sunflowers Maximillian?
The best time to plant perennial sunflowers is in the autumn—although they can grow in the spring, the best blooms occur when the plant has had time to settle into the ground before the growing season.
How To Transplant Maximillian Sunflower Seedlings?
Most sunflowers are annuals, not perennials, meaning that they don't re-grow from roots after the winter. However, Maximilian is different! This perennial sunflower will come back year after year in zones as cold as Zone 3. Instead of harvesting sunflower seeds from your Maximillian Sunflower, the best way to propage this prairie perennial is by replanting seedlings.
Maximilian is a rhizomatous perennial, meaning that it grows in clumps. The best time to divide and replant these perennials is in the spring. Soon after the plants begin to sprout, dig up the roots of the sunflower you want to divide, and gently brush off any soil clinging to the roots. Use a clean knife or pair of scissors to divide the rhizomes, making sure each new clump has a sprouting stem and a good set of roots. Then, replant the sunflowers in the same or a new location, at the same depth to which the original root clump was planted. Be sure to water them in well.
How To Grow Perennial Sunflowers?
Although most sunflowers are annuals, some varieties, especially those native to North America, will actually come back year after year. The Maximillian Perennial Sunflower is one of the easiest and hardiest perennial sunflowers on the market, and is sure to dazzle with its late-summer blooms that come each year!
Your Maximillians will come shipped to you as bare root perennials, at the right time for planting in your growing zone. They're incredibly easy to plant—in fact, choosing a location for Maximillian Perennial Sunflowers is a breeze in many American gardens. These plants evolved to live in the United States, and will be happy in any prairie-like planting situation! Choose a location that isn't too soggy, and avoid rich soils, as damp and over-fertile soil can make these tall plants a bit "floppy." That distaste for rich, compost-heavy planting locations makes these sunflowers a perfect fit for landscapes with poor-quality soil. Choose a location in full sun, as sunflowers like to have at least six to eight hours per day of direct light. Because of their height, consider using your Maximillian Sunflowers as a back-of-the-border plant, or planting them in big, bold clumps in the garden.
After you've chosen a location for your sunflowers, planting is very easy. Simply loosen the soil to a few inches below the ground, and set the roots in the ground. Cover them with a thin layer of soil, and water them in well. If you live in a cold region, a layer of mulch over the planting site can protect your sunflowers through the winter..
How Fast Does The Maximillian Sunflower Grow?
By late summer, your Maximillian Sunflowers will reach four to eight feet in height—averaging a growth rate of over one foot per month! Because they grow so quickly, you may need to provide supports for your perennial sunflowers in the form of stakes or cages. As they begin blooming, you can pinch back your sunflowers to create a bushier, fuller plant.
How To Care For A Maximillian Perennial Sunflower?
Maximillian Sunflowers require very little care once they're set in the ground. Simply water them over the growth season and provide support as needed. When the flowers bloom in late summer, it may be beneficial to pinch back flowers as they fade to keep the plant bushy and full. After the blooming season, wait for the foliage to die back before trimming these sunflowers to the ground.
