As August nears its end, I have been relishing the new sunny perennial garden that I planted this summer along the southern side of my home. I will be sad when the summer garden season comes to an end!
I have especially been enjoying the mammoth sunflowers that are blooming in the center of my new summer garden. The smallest of my sunflowers is about 5 feet high, but I think the tallest is at least 10 feet high! The first of my sunflowers began blooming about a week or so this August, while one sunflower — the tallest — just started blooming today. I totally am going to be planting some more mammoth sunflowers next summer!
Large Mammoth Sunflower
I have noticed, however, that the first mammoth sunflower that has bloomed has started to droop from the weight of the sunflower — a problem that I’ve read is common with these mammoth sunflowers. I am going to have to look into getting bamboo stakes from my local garden store for these sunflowers.
Mammoth Sunflower View
One thing I adore is how my home’s new sunny garden is just outside a window, so my children and I can enjoy the view of our beautiful mammoth sunflowers even when we are not in the garden! But we also like to go outside and enjoy the view, too.
When I am not admiring the sunflowers, I also enjoy looking at the gorgeous purple perennial phlox that I planted this summer — they have been blooming for weeks! I love that with any luck, the phlox should bloom again next summer. I’ve even read that I might be able to harvest the sunflower seeds from my mammoth sunflowers to plant next spring, so I will be trying that, too!
The only disappointing thing about the sunflowers has been that even though I planted two full seed packets for mammoth sunflowers, I only got three sunflower plants this summer — a critter dug up most of the seeds and ate them before they sprouted. So, I am certainly going to be reading up on how to plant sunflowers (for next year)!
If anyone has any tips on how to keep squirrels and other critters away from newly planted sunflower seeds, please let me know!
susanbetts says
Such fun to follow your garden addventure and fun! Sue
Lauren says
Hi, Sue! Thanks for your visit — hope you are doing well! Your cardinal flower is also looking great! Thanks again for your gardening help! 🙂
@PamelaMKramer - A Renaissance Woman says
What a fantastic view! I wish I had more color around our home.
Lauren says
Thanks, Pamela, and thank you for your visit!
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
Oh my goodness, what beautiful sunflowers! And the Phlox are gorgeous too – love the pretty lilac colour.
April @ The 21st Century Housewife recently posted…Easiest Tomato Salad Ever
Lauren says
Thanks, April — I love how tall the sunflowers are! Thank you for visiting!
Barb W. says
Wow, gorgeous sunflowers! Impressed by the height, for sure! Need to add some of these to our garden next year, thanks for the inspiration.
Barb W. recently posted…Bruschetta Stuffed Burgers with Pesto Grilled Cibatta Rolls #Recipe #goodcookkitchenexpert
Lauren says
Thanks, Barb! Your burger recipe looks delicious! Thanks for the visit!