The genus Helianthus has several species which have been hybridized and selected until today. A wide assortment of perennial and annual sunflowers add charm and interest to a garden.
Helianthus Annuus
H. annuus is the parent of the gigantic sunflowers, often called Russian Giants. A single flower head is produced on an 8-10″ sturdy stem.
The flower head is sometimes 14″ across and has innumerable large seeds, which are used in bird seed mixtures in this country.
In Europe and Asia, the oil is extracted from the seeds and used in a variety of ways.
Helianthus Decapetalus
H. decapetalus is more desirable for general planting in the garden. Growing 4′ to 5′ tall, varieties are available fully double and single.
One of the most popular doubles is Soleil d’Or. Loddon Gold is another double yellow frequently used. Finally, Capenach Star is a single golden yellow.
Helianthus Debilis
The annual species, debilis, is the parent of the garden strains known as miniature sunflowers. Sun Gold and Gaillardia Flowered, the red sunflower, are both extremely popular.
Others are the following:
- Stella, a golden yellow
- Primrose Stella, Dazzler, a chestnut red tipped with orange
- Orion, a deep yellow
- Excelsior which has red and crimson markings.
Jerusalem Artichoke
The Jerusalem artichoke, or Girasole, makes a fine display of yellow in an abandoned field or a railroad embankment, but growing it in your garden is not advised unless you are prepared to keep it in bounds.
The tuberous roots are regarded by many as a vegetable. Some use them raw in a salad. Others cook them as you would potatoes.
These uses are fine, but this species spreads so rapidly that it is necessary to rogue out many of them every year.
Sunflowers do best in light, rich, deep soil that is adequately drained. They are heavy feeders, as evidenced by the giant types’ stem sizes.
American Artichoke
The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) shown above, now called the American artichoke, is not an artichoke and has no connection with Jerusalem, although this combination of names will probably remain in use.
Artichokes, members of the sunflower family, are grown much more than most people realize.
Thousands of pounds of seed tubers are grown annually, and during World War II, the artichoke was grown to supply food in quantity at a low cost.
When artichoke tubers shrivel up because of lack of moisture, they can be reconditioned by soaking them in cold water for two hours. If they are to be kept over some time, it is wise to soak them for two hours every day.
Moreover, artichokes should be soaked in salt and water for 30 minutes after they have been cleaned to improve their taste. More than 100 recipes for the use of American artichokes have been published.
In addition to its value as a food, it is distinctly ornamental and, when planted thickly, makes a dense hedge or screen.
Plants require the entire season to make their tubers which should not be dug until the tops start to die.
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