In recent years new sunflowers have been appearing regularly. Some, especially the excellent pollen-free types like ‘Prado Red' and ‘Prado Gold', were originally bred as top class cut flowers while some of the most dwarf types, including ‘Pacino', have been created for containers.
Many unusual shades have also appeared taking us far beyond the usual yellow and gold to rusty and mahogany shades (even deep reds), creamy colours and bicolours. This year Nicky's Nursery are introducing ‘Garden Statement' which combines a manageable habit with a gorgeous pastel colour. This looks a real treat - in spite of its slightly odd name.
This mid sized sunflower is neither so tall as to be unmanageable nor so tight and dumpy that it ceases to seem like a sunflower at all. Reaching about 90cm/3ft and well branched, the flowers are lemon yellow shading to bright creamy white with extra rows of petals to create more impact without losing that classic sunflower character. It's not a double - more like a full single.
It's a little like the popular ‘Valentine' but at an altogether more convenient height. Ideal for the middle of the border, it also makes a manageable cut flower and would be a star in a large container.
Seed of sunflower ‘Garden Statement' is available from Nicky's Nursery which also lists a good range of other sunflowers in familiar and unusual colours along with some pollen-free varieties.