Sunflower
Helianthus annuus.
WHEN the world has enjoyed its laugh at the expense of the lovers of sunflowers, it may find a useful substitute for frothy excitement in "discovering" the magnificence of this very familiar flower. As seen in the average garden, its fine character is not often apparent, for it is usually badly grown, and the grave mistake is made of planting it in groups, where as single plants should stand alone amidst green surroundings, and should be so liberally cultivated as to acquire gigantic proportions. The several stages of development of the flowers may constitute a series of profitable studies in plant form, and there is one stage, when the seeds in the disc are fully formed, but are as yet quite green and "milky," that may properly command the rapturous admiration of a large-minded artist. These remarks apply more especially to the common annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus), but it may properly be added that all the sunflowers are noble plants, and if not adapted for a front place in a highly-dressed promenade, there is a place for them, which, when found, they will readily fill, for they are accommodating plants, and the perennial kinds are among the most useful of gay garniture for a large London garden. As for the annual kinds, it is only in a country garden and on a deep strong soil that they attain to proper magnificence. Our grand beauty, the annual sunflower, is a native of Mexico and Peru, and its outline may often be traced in the sculptures of the ancient temples that date from the time of the Aztecs, and constitute the most important of the archaeological treasures of the western continent. In the description of the marigold we have touched upon the fancy that this flower takes its name from following the sun in its course, so tastefully expressed by Moore-- "As the sunflower turns to her god when he sets The same look which she turned when he rose;" and it has been shown that the fancy has no foundation in fact. One glance at a garden of sunflowers will demonstrate this, for they will be found facing every way indiscriminately, evidently wanting in the adoring affection for glorious Apollo they have obtained credit for from the poets. "A garden of sunflowers" the reader will perhaps repeat, as in doubt of such a thing, but we have seen sunflowers in pieces of an acre in extent, and without any sense of satiety, so interesting is it to note the variety of character displayed in the several stages of development.
Of sunflower poetry there is no lack, while many flowers that rank much higher in the estimation of the world are absolutely without honour in verse. Clare pictures the cottager selecting for the garden the rose, the woodbine, the daisy, and in due time "Training the trailing peas in bunches neat, Perfuming evening with a luscious sweet,-- And sunflowers planted for their gilded show, That scale the lattice windows ere they blow, Then sweet to habitants within the sheds, Peep through the diamond panes their gilded heads."
Sunflowers are grown in America for the oil that may be compressed from their seeds. This the English housewife may obtain indirectly by the very simple plan of growing sunflowers for the poultry-yard, for the oily albumen of the seeds is very acceptable to poultry. The best way to supply the birds with the seeds is to hang up the ripe heads just high enough to compel the chicks to pick them out, for when the heads are thrown into the yard they are trodden on and wasted.
The cottager's way of growing sunflowers is to sow the seed in April in the open ground. The proper way for a gardener is to sow the seed in March in pots or pans, and start the growth in a gentle heat. Any light rich soil will suit for the purpose. When the plants have made two rough leaves they should be pricked out into other pans and allowed room to spread, and kept near the glass, with plenty of air, so as to be strong and stout--no matter how short--for planting out early in May. They must for a time be protected from frost, keen winds, and snails. If the soil is rich and deep, and the plants are allowed plenty of room, they will attain to far greater dimensions than are commonly seen, and make a truly grand display.
Amongst the best of the annual sunflowers are those named Globosus, Californicus, Uniflorus, Cucumerifolius, and Plenissimus. The second in the list is known as the "double" sunflower, the flower consisting of ligulate florets entirely; the colour is a rich full orange. A beautiful plant for the spacious border is Helianthus argophyllus, with silvery leaves, and a dwarf sunflower, known as H. nanus, may go with it as a pleasing manageable plant. All these are best raised from seeds in the manner described above. The best of the perennial sunflowers are H. multiflorus, single and double, H. giganteus, H. divaricatus, and H. decapetalis. Where only one sort is wanted, the first should be preferred. The perennial kinds are propagated by division. A splendid companion of the sunflowers, and a first-rate shrubbery plant, is Harpalium rigidum, which may be described as intermediate between a helianthus and a rudbeckia. The flowers have ray florets of a full orange yellow, and a bold disc of black or blackish-brown.