Page updated July 2011

If you were wondering...
Sorry...there is no organised Sunflower Competition for 2011
but please keep an eye out,
as there may well be some giants lurking in the neighbourhood

Please scroll down to see previous giant encounters

Official height recording begun on Brighton Rd
on 23rd July and concluded 31st August 2010.
Lansdown, Stanley and Roslyn Rds were measured,
finishing with Chandos and Kensington Rds.
This was the order the pots were sold,
so there was no advantage in the delay,
(some participants have been very competitive!).

If residents were not at home, an invitation was left with them to email their blooming heights to info@lansdownrdbs6.co.uk.

As these 'giants' grew at different rates relating to their environment this meant the announcement was held back until the final plant flowered.

The measurement is taken from the top of the soil to the top of the 'neck' behind the flower head

Scroll down for the '2nd Measure Off' table of facts and figures... plus the 1st Round results.

The Sunflower Prizes!

Sunflower heaven

Thank you to everyone for joining into the spirit of the competition.

Scroll down for the each road's facts and figures.

The Sunflower judging kit!

First 'Measure Up' Winners' Rosettes

Scroll down for the each road's facts and figures.

Member of the Daisy family

The variety - Giant Single
Supposed to be excellent for growing the tallest sunflowers.
Very easy, growing quickly to great height (up to 180cm)
with enormous golden yellow heads, which the bees love,
whilst the seeds are welcomed by the birds

Where to put them:
Likes a sunny site (indoors or outside)
Any reasonable fertile soil
If in a container, the wider and deeper the better
eg 45cm (18in) wide, 30cm (12in) deep

When and how to sow them:
Plant 2/3 seeds 3cm (1in) deep
April/May for flowering June, July, August September
Seedlings usually appear in 14/21 days

How to look after them:
Remove weaker seedling
Space them 45cm (18in)to allow for growth
Keep soil moist and weeded

Be aware Slugs may attack young plants outdoors

How to grow giants:
Feed and water regularly throughout the summer
It may be necessary to stake the tall plants.

Last year, (as reported in October's Redland Directory)
Some Redland residents grew their sunflowers to an amazing 3m 75cm (12ft 5ins).
So it can be done.

What then:
The seeds from the flowerheads may be used for snacks or baking or even left for the birds.
However, the seeds to be sown are not for consumption.

Did you know:
It has been used as a tincture for malaria and TB.
The seeds are a diuretic and expectorant.
The roots have been used as a laxative and the oil promotes healing - for aching joints and wounds.

This is your chance to grow a giant!

During summer 2008, half way up Brighton Rd, towered a sunflower in all it’s glory. This was the inspiration for the idea of filling Lansdown Rd with these giants.

So in April armed with a tray full of homemade newspaper pots, each filled with garden soil and a single sunflower seed, my trusty, young assistant and I knocked on every door on the road. Selling at five pence each, over seventy pots were sold to enthusiastic residents. They were left with an idea of what to do next and the promise of an early measuring for those leaving in early summer.

Those which germinated and survived neglect, rain and slug attack were officially measured mid June. The winner at this point was a whopping 138cm. Cared throughout indoors, it beat it’s outdoor rival by 21cm!

First stage Winner at 138cm

Second stage Winner at 207cm

Another measurement was taken when the sunflowers bloomed. The tape is placed on the soil next to the stem and the height is given from the top of the bend where it joins the flowerhead. A secondary measurement is taken for the width of seedhead.

This contest has been just for fun but there was keen interest in rival sunflowers even by those whose specimens were not likely winners.

Take a moment to enjoy some of last year's sunflowers