Sunflower - Russian Giant
This variety is easy to grow and a giant in sunflowers. It grows up to 3m tall if given plenty of room and boasts eye-catching, huge yellow flowers up to 30cm in diameter. Excellent for the back of borders, it is ideal for children to grow, and birds love the seeds and will feed from the flower heads in the autumn.
Sow outdoors where they are to flower. Prepare the ground by raking until it is fine and crumbly, removing any large stones. Sow thinly, 12mm deep in drills 45cm. When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings to 45cm apart. For really giant sunflowers, sow indoors individually into 7.5cm pots late winter/early spring at a temperature of 20-30C. Grow on in good light, and plant out when all risk of frost is passed 45cm apart.