Provide shade for heat - sensitive , low - growing vegetable plants and create a treillage for plant life that like to climb sunflowers ( Helianthus spp . ) . While a useful companion flora for many vegetable , sunflowers are n’t the perfect companions for every member of the garden .

Provide shade for high temperature - sore , downcast - growing veggie plants and create a trellis for plants that wish to climbsunflowers(Helianthus spp . ) . While a useful fellow traveller plant for many vegetable , sunflowersaren’t the perfect companions for every member of the garden . you may see both one-year and perennial helianthus species . annual grow in all climates during the summer , while perennialsunflowersgrow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness geographical zone 3 through 9 , depending on the variety .

Increase Corn Crops

Growing helianthus interspersed with a corn ( Zea mays ) while is a smart way to meliorate overall production and it could help foreshorten harm from armyworm infestation . Larval armyworm provender on grass and corn . While companion planting corn whisky with helianthus wo n’t guarantee against armyworm devastation , having this sunny flower near by can help discourage these plague . Both corn and sunflowers require full sun , quick weather and loamy soil .

Shade Cucumbers

helianthus get along well with cucumber vine ( Cucumis sativus ) , leave shade for these heat - tender vegetables . Cucumbers like to climb and will scale a helianthus stalk . To keep them from falling over , drive a stakes into the grease near each sunflower and tie it loosely to the stake with string . And it ’s not just cucumbers that benefit from the helianthus ' shade : other related species , like melons ( Cucumis melo ) and summer squash ( Cucurbita pepo ) , revel the helianthus ' wraith .

Separate from Potatoes

Do n’t grow sunflower in the potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) patch . Both helianthus and potato are susceptible to the fungal disease Verticillium dahliae . To debar creating a sodding environment for this destructive , wilt disease - causing disease , keep helianthus and potatoes in separate areas of the garden and avoid turn out sunflowers with potatoes in the same garden bottom area .

Attract the Pollinators

Get the bees to your garden with the perennial sunflower variety " Lemon Queen " ( Helianthus " Lemon Queen " ) , which grows in USDA zones 4 through 9 . While most sunflower attract bees , these in use pollinators find this one particularly resistless . Sunflowers also draw butterflies and birds to the garden , bring a diverse range of pollinators for your plants .

An Ornamental Companion

You do n’t have to pass on sunflowers to the edible garden . These bright , attractive flowers add color to cutting garden and function well in bungalow garden , meadows and border areas . The common annual sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ) grows up to 10 feet tall , but you have other option . For a low - grow recurrent motley , plant willow tree - leaved sunflowers ( Helianthus salicifolius ) . There are two type : the 9- to 12 - inch - tall perennial cultivar " Low Down , " which grows in USDA zone 6 through 9 ; and the 12- to 15 - inch - tall " Willow Mountain , " which raise in USDA zona 5 through 9 .

References

Row of bright Sunflowers, Helianthus annuus