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Archive for the Profile department

The life and garden of a plant breeder

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Chris Hansen is a plant hybridizer by trade, and he tests his creations in his superbly colorful home garden

Chris Hansen displays an abundance of color in his garden using predominantly the foliage of perennials, conifers, trees, and shrubs.
Chris Hansen displays an abundance of color in his garden using predominantly the foliage of perennials, conifers, trees, and shrubs.

by Lisa Steinkopf / Photographs by Chris Hansen

To meet and spend time with plant hybridizer Chris Hansen is an adventure and one I will not soon forget. Chris is one of the most plant (and life in general) passionate people I’ve ever met. His enthusiasm for plants is second to none—it makes you want to rush out and buy some!

His home garden in western Michigan is not a particularly old one, but if you were to drive through his newish subdivision, his landscape looks like it’s been there for years. His property stands out—you know a serious plant lover is in residence. Chris says that his garden, filled with colorful succulents, conifers, and Japanese maples has motivated the neighbors to landscape their own yards.

An Asian maple, barberry, and arborvitae deliver bursts of yellow and light orange.
An Asian maple, barberry, and arborvitae deliver bursts of yellow and light orange.

Building the garden

You won’t find typical foundation plantings in Chris’ relatively young garden. The photos accompanying this article were taken when it was roughly five years old. When Chris moved in, the house was newly built and the land was a blank canvas on which he could paint his garden.

The property is filled with garden beds that have been formed around strategically placed boulders. These rocks are a type of sandstone whose buff tan color is a perfect neutral background for plants. They were shipped to Michigan from Kansas and Colorado. Chris chose them because they also have countless holes and crevices in which to tuck succulents and other diminutive plants. These boulders arrived on three large semi-truck beds and took a massive amount of work and major machinery to get them placed around the property.

As a collector, Chris plants in numbers of one or three, which allows him to add as many varieties as possible to his garden.
As a collector, Chris plants in numbers of one or three, which allows him to add as many varieties as possible to his garden.
Variegated lily of the valley.
Variegated lily of the valley.
Colorful conifers complement the perennials and succulents, plus they add interest during long, western Michigan winters.
Colorful conifers complement the perennials and succulents, plus they add interest during long, western Michigan winters.

The main obstacle in the boulder placement was the fact that Chris’ house is situated on a slope and the subdivision’s houses are quite close to each other. Some of the boulders were enormous. In fact, one of the stunning boulders in the back garden weighs over 9,000 pounds! How do you move something like that, you may ask? Between two houses, down a hill… I wondered as well. Chris explained that two front-end-loaders were used. They faced each other with the boulder balanced between them on the two buckets. One loader backed down the hill, with the other facing it. Imagine taking a refrigerator down a staircase and you are the one going backwards. A few of the largest boulders were placed in the backyard using this slow, painstaking process.

After the boulders were placed, the beds were created. Then the planting began and still goes on to this day. After all, Chris is a true gardener, and gardening is a process that is ever evolving. Because he is a collector, he plants in odd numbers of one or three. If you plant in a grouping of 5 or 7, you lose too much space for other plants! His goal is to showcase good genetics in his garden; it is a test garden for many of the plants that he has hybridized—more on that later. One thing you will not find is annuals or anything with thorns. Chris wants to find out how much color he can display using only perennials, conifers, trees, and shrubs. He has done a masterful job. His garden is a plethora of color in well-designed beds. The conifers ensure he has winter interest as well. The west side of Michigan has long, white winters; colorful evergreens make the white expanse much more palatable during the long barren season.

The hybridizer

Though his garden is stunning, Chris’ claim to fame is his plant hybridizing. He spends his time developing new plants that have proven to be widely popular. If you have seen a Chick Charm sempervivum (hens and chicks), that is one of Chris’ plant brands. My favorite is the award-winning ‘Gold Nugget.’ This cultivar changes colors throughout the year and is the most golden in cooler weather.

Chris hybridizes sedums and sempervivums (hens and chicks). In his home garden he tests many of the plants he has developed.
Chris hybridizes sedums and sempervivums (hens and chicks). In his home garden he tests many of the plants he has developed.
Chipped stone mulch helps keep the plant crowns dry.
Chipped stone mulch helps keep the plant crowns dry.

How did Chris get started in the plant industry? It all began at age five in kindergarten. His teacher was growing a spider plant and snipped off a baby plant for Chris to take home. Who would have ever thought the ubiquitous spider plant would be the catalyst for a long horticulture career? Around that same time, after Chris’ request, his childhood neighbors gave him a paper bag full of hens and chicks that were growing in a huge, tractor-tire planter in their garden.

Fast forward to college in his home state—Chris received his bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Iowa State University. He then moved to South Carolina to work for Wayside Gardens as director of horticulture. He traveled all over the world buying plants from hybridizers to fill the Wayside catalog with the newest varieties. Chris was also the photographer for the catalog. After 10 years, he moved across the country to Portland, Oregon to work for Terra Nova Nurseries. After a few years there, he landed in west Michigan to start a new company where he began hybridizing hellebores (Lenten roses). Since those bloom in winter, he also worked on hybridizing summer bloomers and developed Sunsparkler sedums.

Globe daisy (Globularia) is an uncommon little alpine plant, with soft lavender-blue flowers. It enjoys full sun and dry, very well-drained soil.
Globe daisy (Globularia) is an uncommon little alpine plant, with soft lavender-blue flowers. It enjoys full sun and dry, very well-drained soil.

This career journey led him back to his love for sempervivums and his next obsession was hatched: Chick Charms. Remember the childhood curiosity that started with the bag of chicks from his neighbors? He now has 22 varieties and sells over 1.5 million each year nationwide. What is his latest plant? How about a groundcover ajuga in different shapes and colors? The Feathered Friends ajuga series is now available in garden centers.

The garden's boulders are a type of sandstone whose buff tan color is a perfect neutral background for plants.
The garden’s boulders are a type of sandstone whose buff tan color is a perfect neutral background for plants.
The boulders also have countless holes and crevices in which to tuck succulents and other diminutive plants.
The boulders also have countless holes and crevices in which to tuck succulents and other diminutive plants.

Chris goes to work every day to not only hybridize amazing new plants, but to care for his three mini donkeys and flock of chickens. He keeps them at work so he can visit any time during the day. Plus, the homeowner’s association might frown upon them at home. Along with the office cats, the animals bring him and his employees joy. When I visited his greenhouses, I was happy to meet not only the plants but the pets too.

It is so interesting to know a bit about where popular plants originate. Chris likes to pass that joy of plants on to others, especially children. One recent spring, he invited his neighbors over for a succulent potting party. Two hundred pots of succulents later, the neighborhood children, along with their parents, were ecstatically happy. The love for plants can start from a young age, so let’s get those kids out there in the garden. You never know where it will take them—maybe a successful hybridizing career!

A lot of color going on in this photo, and only one plant is in flower!
A lot of color going on in this photo, and only one plant is in flower!

Lisa Steinkopf is The Houseplant Guru. Check out her newly updated website and blog at www.thehouseplantguru.com. Contact Lisa to speak at your next club meeting or event (houseplantgurulisa@gmail.com or 734-748-1241). Follow her on Facebook (Facebook.com/HouseplantGuru), Twitter (@houseplantguru), and Instagram (houseplantguru).

Charming cottage vegetable garden

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Chip and Betsy Erwin thoughtfully designed their wonderful front yard potager, which many passersby stop to enjoy.

Chip and Betsy Erwin generously share the abundant harvest of vegetables and flowers from their superb vegetable garden.

Text and Photographs by Lisa Steinkopf

It isn’t often one sees a potager or kitchen garden in a front yard. Yet, Chip and Betsy Erwin have created a stunning one in the city limits of Ann Arbor.

I visited with Chip and asked him how this garden came to be in front of their home instead of in the backyard like most. He told me he and Betsy didn’t want to take up too much of their backyard with gardens, as it is quite shady. So, the sunny front yard became their food garden, and it is a showstopper.

The iron window box was custom made for the house by a friend.

Their home is circa 1926, while the garage is a newer addition. If you didn’t know, you couldn’t tell. Stone walls outline the potager and help moderate the temperature of the garden area. They had John Cullen of Celtic Gardens install the unique dry stack, mortarless stone walls. This type of wall construction has a history that dates to roughly 3800 BC. The walls are often seen in Scotland and England, as well as our New England states. They are befitting of the Erwin home. The metal window box above the front door was made by artist/ironsmith friend Andrew Kyte, of Kyte Metalwerks. It adds to the English cottage-like charm.

Dry-stacked stone walls outline the potager boundary. (photo credit: Chip Erwin)

The front yard potager

The entrance from the sidewalk is my favorite aspect and I’m sure passersby would agree. It’s framed by an espaliered pear that curves over the front walk and forms a tunnel-like entrance. It highlights the garden and house beyond. A row of hardy Winter Gem boxwoods lines each side of the walk to the front door. The front walk has intersecting paths that lead to the side yard and driveway. These paths indicate the shade cast by the house—thus the foundation plantings are shade-tolerant.

Chip and Betsy Erwin

The Erwin potager garden is quite a focal point in the neighborhood. Chip and Betsy say the garden’s greatest joy is the community aspect of the front garden. Many people stop to admire the garden while on their daily walks. So, Chip installed a garden bench around the street tree so people can have a place to rest as they admire the garden.

The Erwins share the bounty of the garden with everyone, leaving bouquets on the bench. They make pairs so neighbors not only get a bouquet for themselves but one to share with a friend. In the fall, children love to stop to see the pumpkins hanging from the pear trellis. It’s unusual to see a pumpkin hanging from a trellis. Chip and Betsy have received many thank-you notes in return for their generous gifts. The neighborhood sharing has brought other surprises: new recipes. A neighbor used the Honeycrisp and Gala apples to make an apple curry chutney from a family recipe in India. A neighbor from Kenya, missing the collard greens of her youth, shared her recipe and was able to partake in their abundant harvest.

Late summer in the Erwin’s backyard.

The garden is filled with many different vegetables, herbs, perennials, and annuals. The Erwins start over half of what they grow from seed. The list includes tomatoes, collards, cucumbers, Swiss chard, and more. Lettuce, radishes, and carrots are planted in succession, so they are always available. 

Chip likes to try new plants each year. He has grown cardoons, tomatillos, and walking onions. The bounty from their garden is not only shared, but also canned and frozen for later. They make salsa from the tomatoes and dry their herbs for winter recipes. They are dried in the oven on low until the leaves fall from the stems. Rosemary, thyme, and parsley are ground in the coffee grinder and stored. He finds overplanting teaches what plants do the best. If they do well, they stay. If not, they go to the compost pile. There are perennials planted around the edges and some plants are grown on obelisks to allow room for more plants. Sweet autumn clematis, sweet peas, and clematis are some of the vines in the garden. Pies and jam are the results of the rhubarb harvest as well as a simple syrup for cocktails. 

The Erwins harvest honey twice a year from their bee hives.

The Erwins have also included a pollinator garden for the butterflies and bees. Not only do they grow plants for the bees, but they also “grow” bees. They have two beehives in the backyard and together the neighborhood boasts six hives. They harvest honey twice a year, both in the early summer and late summer. This leaves enough for the bees for the winter. I was lucky enough to receive a jar of that honey. Yum!

Many of their plants have a story. They received indigo from their brother-in-law, a maidenhair fern from Betsy’s mom, and lupines from an aunt in Maine. Shared family plants are the best.

They have many dahlias, and over the winter they are stored in the garage in light wood chips. A tender fig tree also enjoys the garage all winter. Because there is a living space over the garage, it stays warm enough to keep the plants through the winter without freezing.

I’m sure you are wondering, as I did, how Chip and Betsy keep the deer from decimating the garden. They have motion sensor sprayers that are on at night. Of course, they are off during the day to prevent unscheduled showers while gardening. The most damaging pests are the resident groundhogs. The challenge is preventing them from not only eating their garden but also ruining the stone walls. 

In the backyard, three troughs contain additional herb and vegetable plants.

The backyard garden

As we move to the backyard, the light becomes shady but there is one area that isn’t. Here, Chip and Betsy incorporated raised beds for more vegetables and herbs. The beds are three large water troughs usually used for farm animals. One is dedicated to herbs, including mint, rue, chives, sage, and rosemary. The rosemary moves to the garage in the fall and grows under lights to extend the harvest. Kale fills another trough, which they cover to keep the cabbage moths away. The third has radishes, snow peas, and nasturtiums. These are right off the patio, and easily accessible to the kitchen. Chip says these troughs are a great idea for people that don’t have a lot of room for gardening. Each one supplies a lot of food. The raised aspect is also great for people who cannot garden the usual way. After back surgery, I can understand! Raised beds are ideal for many.

Kale fills one of the backyard troughs in the fall.

There is a small fenced-in area filled with plants. Originally, it was home to chickens for several years. Unfortunately, neighbors complained of chicken “leftovers” on their patios and porches. Thus, the free-range chickens found new homes. The Erwins let the ground sit for a year. Now the nitrogen-rich area is home to asparagus, Turkish rocket, and other plants.

These fun, faux sheep turn the heads of visitors to the backyard. (photo credit: Chip Erwin)
Young wisterias are getting established on the backyard pergola, which offers shade on a hot day.

The backyard pergola supports many vines, including wisteria, hops, trumpet vine, and a rose. It is a wonderful place to rest in the summer and enjoy the bees, butterflies, and (faux) sheep.

I had a wonderful time talking to Chip and Betsy about their amazing garden. I love how it has drawn in the community. Their generosity in sharing flowers and the edible bounty of their garden is heartwarming. What a great example to follow in our own gardens!

Lisa Steinkopf is The Houseplant Guru. Check out her website and blog at www.thehouseplantguru.com. Contact Lisa to speak at your next club meeting or event (houseplantgurulisa@gmail.com or 734-748-1241). Follow her on Facebook (Facebook.com/HouseplantGuru), Twitter (@houseplantguru), and Instagram (houseplantguru).

Website Extra: An eclectic collector’s garden

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To read the entire article, pick up a copy of Michigan Gardener or check out our digital edition.

In 1985, the Hodgsons contracted with an individual who wanted experience in building a koi pond, so they exchanged the experience for the construction. The soil removed from the pond hole was used to build the cactus berm. The pond water is green because of an algae bloom caused by warm, sunny weather and organic material in the water. If controlled properly it is not harmful to the fish.
In 1985, the Hodgsons contracted with an individual who wanted experience in building a koi pond, so they exchanged the experience for the construction. The soil removed from the pond hole was used to build the cactus berm. The pond water is green because of an algae bloom caused by warm, sunny weather and organic material in the water. If controlled properly it is not harmful to the fish.

 
Mick picking up fish is a demonstration activity. This koi is an early version of the butterfly koi, known for its long fins and tail. The Hodgsons hand feed the koi from the same location multiple times a day, so the fish anticipate the feeding and come to beg when Mick and Cathy are in the backyard. The older fish in the pond teach the young fish about this group activity.
Mick picking up fish is a demonstration activity. This koi is an early version of the butterfly koi, known for its long fins and tail. The Hodgsons hand feed the koi from the same location multiple times a day, so the fish anticipate the feeding and come to beg when Mick and Cathy are in the backyard. The older fish in the pond teach the young fish about this group activity.

 
Cathy feeds goldfish in the figure eight pond.
Cathy feeds goldfish in the figure eight pond.

 
The Hodgsons created this area to bring two paths together and provide a reflective, cool place to sit and rest. In the center is a suspended natural ledge rock with native moss. Water gently overflows from the rock’s center and trickles through the moss and over the edge back into the water. There are a few smaller goldfish to add movement and mosquito control. The Buddha sculpture meditates across from the stone bench and frogs come and go.
The Hodgsons created this area to bring two paths together and provide a reflective, cool place to sit and rest. In the center is a suspended natural ledge rock with native moss. Water gently overflows from the rock’s center and trickles through the moss and over the edge back into the water. There are a few smaller goldfish to add movement and mosquito control. The Buddha sculpture meditates across from the stone bench and frogs come and go.

Website Extra: The artistic country garden

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The garden of Judy and Larry Rowe reflects their love of art and creativity

To read the full profile on Judy and Larry Rowe, pick up a copy of the June, 2013 issue of Michigan Gardener in stores or find it in our digital edition.

Photos by Sandie Parrott

Purchased from a neighbor, this manure spreader is the center of attention in the front yard, along with a white dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Weaver’s White’) and a pink-purple rhododendron (‘Elsie Lee’).
Purchased from a neighbor, this manure spreader is the center of attention in the front yard, along with a white dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Weaver’s White’) and a pink-purple rhododendron (‘Elsie Lee’).

 
Larry made the arbor for this corner garden that sits next to their sunroom where they relax and listen to singing birds playing in the water. There are two ‘Jackmanii' clematis on the arbor, several hostas, and two Alberta spruces for seclusion.
Larry made the arbor for this corner garden that sits next to their sunroom where they relax and listen to singing birds playing in the water. There are two ‘Jackmanii’ clematis on the arbor, several hostas, and two Alberta spruces for seclusion.

 
Larry made the wishing well from an old barbeque grill. The arbor Larry also made is covered with clematis, while clay drain tiles serve as a border. Insulators line the paths to keep hoses out of the gardens and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), hardy in Michigan, surrounds a planted cactus dish garden.
Larry made the wishing well from an old barbeque grill. The arbor Larry also made is covered with clematis, while clay drain tiles serve as a border. Insulators line the paths to keep hoses out of the gardens and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), hardy in Michigan, surrounds a planted cactus dish garden.

 
Judy collects cacti, even though most are not hardy in Michigan and must be taken inside. The pot of succulents is made of five drain tiles turned upside down and wired together to form a flower shape. The display is crowned by a hypertufa pot made by a fellow Master Gardener.
Judy collects cacti, even though most are not hardy in Michigan and must be taken inside. The pot of succulents is made of five drain tiles turned upside down and wired together to form a flower shape. The display is crowned by a hypertufa pot made by a fellow Master Gardener.

Profile Website Extra: More photos of Bob Grese’s garden

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Continued from page 50 of the May 2013 issue.

Photos by Sandie Parrott

Bob Grese tends to a witch hazel tree (Hamamelis virginiana). Native Americans used the tree bark to treat sores, tumors, skin ulcers, sore muscles, coughs, and colds. Yellow blooms in early spring and yellow fall color make this a beautiful tree.
Bob Grese tends to a witch hazel tree (Hamamelis virginiana). Native Americans used the tree bark to treat sores, tumors, skin ulcers, sore muscles, coughs, and colds. Yellow blooms in early spring and yellow fall color make this a beautiful tree.

 
The striking plumes of bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) in late summer are beautiful in any garden setting.
The striking plumes of bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) in late summer are beautiful in any garden setting.

 
Grese grew Yukon Gold potatoes in what is typically called a grow bag. They are great reusable containers for vegetables and now come in many colors and sizes.
Grese grew Yukon Gold potatoes in what is typically called a grow bag. They are great reusable containers for vegetables and now come in many colors and sizes.

 
One of Grese’s favorites is prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum). “I love the broad leaves and tall stalks. The leaves orient on a north-south axis and are wonderful backlit against the sun. The coarse texture is an effective contrast with fine-leaved plants,” he described.
One of Grese’s favorites is prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum). “I love the broad leaves and tall stalks. The leaves orient on a north-south axis and are wonderful backlit against the sun. The coarse texture is an effective contrast with fine-leaved plants,” he described.

Website Extra: Asian Inspired Garden

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Continued from page 36 of the April 2013 issue.

Photos by Sandie Parrott

Rita calls this her tiger lily walk. Many were donated by friends. As a girl, Rita loved to go and pick them in the fields and present them to her mother. She loves the mass effect and passes along extras to her friends.
Rita calls this her tiger lily walk. Many were donated by friends. As a girl, Rita loved to go and pick them in the fields and present them to her mother. She loves the mass effect and passes along extras to her friends.

Slag sand pathways allow the Cohens and visitors to stroll the garden. The red color of the bridge sets off the garden and adds the traditional feature of a Chinese garden, which some Japanese gardens have adopted. Japanese gardens typically have natural wood or stone bridges.
Slag sand pathways allow the Cohens and visitors to stroll the garden. The red color of the bridge sets off the garden and adds the traditional feature of a Chinese garden, which some Japanese gardens have adopted. Japanese gardens typically have natural wood or stone bridges.

This view is full of texture: a little wire animal perches on a stone bench while the stark driftwood piece draws the eye upward to the massive old sugar maple tree. Tiny-leaved creeping thyme groundcover anchors the scene.
This view is full of texture: a little wire animal perches on a stone bench while the stark driftwood piece draws the eye upward to the massive old sugar maple tree. Tiny-leaved creeping thyme groundcover anchors the scene.

Sunny sunflowers bring happiness

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Bob Koenders shares pointers on how to best grow this popular flower

 

Photos by Sandie Parrott
Bob Koenders demonstrates how to cut sunflowers: strip the lower leaves and cut diagonally with a sharp, clean boxcutter, and place immediately in water with preservative.by Sandie Parrott

When picturing sunflowers, what do you see? Bob Koenders, owner of the Backyard Bouquet Farm, sees a field of amazing sunflowers, maybe not all yellow, with their heads held high following the path of the sun. “There is nothing better than a field of sunflowers at sunrise,” claims Koenders. He calls them the flower of the future. Statistics support this claim. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, in 1997 there were 32 farms growing sunflowers on 1,522 acres, and by 2002 there were 91 farms with 2,275 acres. Most of the fields of open sunflowers are oil seed type, grown for oil or seed (for birds or humans). Their heads were bred to hang down, making it more difficult for birds to eat the seeds and rain to ruin the harvest. On the other hand, Koenders grows his for cutting, so he wants them upright. Looking at Koenders’ field, you won’t see acres of blooming sunflowers, because he has to cut them before they open.

Why sunflowers

Koenders started experimenting with sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) about 20 years ago. He chose sunflowers as his number one summer crop (the spring is alliums and fall is pumpkins) for several reasons. “Sunflowers make people happy—they epitomize happiness and have a universal appeal to all ages,” states Koenders. He also started seeing more sunflower patterns in linens and clothing, and believed this was more than just a trend. Finally, when pollenless sunflowers came along, “I knew sunflowers were here to stay,” says Koenders. “Traditional sunflowers with pollen make a mess and ruin your clothes. Some people have problems with allergies to the pollen. The new pollenless sunflowers are clean—no allergies and they last much longer.”

When Koenders married the love of his life, Judy, they used lots of happy sunflowers for their wedding. In fact, sunflowers and even sunflower bouquets for the bride are becoming more popular for weddings according to Koenders. Florists in the area didn’t even know they wanted sunflowers when Koenders started experimenting with varieties. “I grew about 50 different varieties until I found about 5 that I grow every year.” They are all the pollenless varieties. “Now the demand is so high, the florists are calling me!” he exclaims.

At dusk, a field of sunflowers begin to turn their heads toward the setting sun. Notice the hilled rows of soil that help support the heavy plants.A little bit of history

According to the National Sunflower Association, the wild sunflower is native to North America, but commercialization of the plant was done by Russia. It was only somewhat recently that the sunflower plant “returned” to America. Native Americans first developed the wild sunflower into a single-headed plant with a variety of seed colors including black, red, white, and striped black and white. Some archeologists suggest that sunflowers may have been domesticated before corn. The Native Americans used the sunflower seed for grinding into flour, trail snacks, purple dyes, body painting, ceremonial, and medicinal uses. Sunflower oil was used for making bread, as well as on skin and hair. The dried stalks were even used for building materials. 

The large Russian varieties are still available today. Names like ‘Mammoth Russian,’ ‘Russian Giant,’ ‘Tall Russian,’ and ‘Mammoth’ are all typical varieties sold as giant sunflowers, along with all the new American, European and Asian hybrids. Koenders says identifying sunflowers can be a problem—there are always several names for essentially the same plant. He advises purchasing seed from reputable sources if you want a plant that grows true to the variety.

This unopened bud of ‘Sunrich Gold’ is still too early to cut but still beautiful and pollenless like most of Koenders’ sunflowers.Cutting sunflowers

Giant sunflowers wouldn’t work well as cut flowers, according to Koenders. They would be difficult to sell, handle (you practically need a chain saw to cut them) and use in a vase (the stalks are too thick and long). Koenders’ goals for the ideal cut sunflower: no pollen, 1/2-inch thick stem of about 3 feet in length, straight with a perfect flower head (held high) about 3 to 5 inches across. A “perfect” flower means no disfiguration, consistent color, and no diseases or pests.

During cutting, most of the leaves are stripped in one quick motion, leaving only the large ones by the head, and then a sharp box cutter is used to swiftly and cleanly cut the stem at an angle by the plant’s base. Cut flowers go directly into a solution of preservative and bleach until he delivers them, usually within 24 hours. Koenders and his hardy workers cut 7 days a week, 1,000 to 1,500 stems a day, which is just under 100,000 flowers annually.

This ‘Sunrich Gold’ sunflower is open too far to be cut for the floral industry. It will be sold directly at a farmers’ market or roadside stand.Growing sunflowers for cutting

The process begins with purchasing F1 (first generation) pollenless seed of proven varieties from quality sources. “It is more costly, but the plants are far superior. Saving seed means genetic variance, which can be good or bad,” Koenders comments. “Reusing seed means colors and sizes vary from plant to plant and stems can be weak, since it is open-pollinated (uncontrolled pollination by wind, insects, or birds). For homeowners, give it a try—it is fun to see what you get, but I can’t afford the risk.”

The other big component is good soil, and his farm has wonderful lake bed loam. Koenders monitors his soil, testing it every one to three years, depending on diseases or pests during that time, not just because he is an agronomist, but to check the levels of nitrogen and other nutrients. “Nitrogen is important for sunflowers. Nitrogen leaches out, but too much makes them leggy with large leaves.”

Seeds are started April 1 in the greenhouse. Sunflowers germinate in cool temperatures (45 to 50 degrees), and starting in early May seedlings are planted in the field. Seeds are started and plants are moved to the field every 7 to 10 days for about 10 successive plantings. “We can’t have them all in bloom at once, since we can’t harvest and sell all at once,” says Koenders. A tip he shares is to mound up the soil around the base of the plant to help support the stem. He continues to mound the soil while they are growing to help support the plant and to bury weeds. The mounded earth can get as high as a foot by the time the flowers are cut. He cautions, however, to not cover any leaves. 

Plants are set close together (6 to 12 inches) for support and to keep the plant size manageable, but he recommends up to two feet in a backyard situation for larger flowers. Rows are about 3 feet apart for cultivation. Pruning is important for florist quality blooms. Koenders prunes excessively to produce the type of perfect flower you expect to see at the florist.

“Sunflowers have a bad reputation with some people. Although they are pretty, many people think they don’t last, heads droop, and the stems are too thick,” Koenders laments. “This is because some sunflowers are dry-shipped from long distances like South America with their foliage stripped off.” According to Koenders, local pollenless sunflowers should have thinner stems and heads held high, and last 7 to 10 days in a vase (out of direct sunlight).

So the next time you want to brighten one of your late summer or fall days, pick up some cut sunflowers. You now know what qualities to be looking for.

Sandie Parrott is a garden writer and photographer who lives and gardens in Oakland County, MI.

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Fun facts about sunflowers

  • Sunflower’s scientific name is Helianthus; Helios meaning “sun” and anthos meaning “flower.”
  • Sunflower heads track the sun’s movement; this phenomenon is called heliotropism.
  • Sunflowers can grow up to 12 inches a day during the peak of the growing season. They are more photosynthetic than many other plants and better utilize the sun for growth.
  • Sunflowers (certain varieties) yield up to 40 percent of their weight in oil.
  • Sunflower stems were used as filling for life jackets.
  • Sunflowers are considered a popular art form because of their “human-like” characteristics, such as the “head” and the similar height to humans. 
  • Sunflower leaves are cupped to channel the water down the stem.
  • Sunflowers were worshipped by the Aztecs.
  • Sunflower heads consist of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers joined by a receptacle base. The large petals around the edge of the sunflower head are individual ray flowers which do not develop into seed.
  • The world record tallest sunflower (25 feet, 5-1/2 inches) was grown in the Netherlands in 1986.
  • The world record sunflower with the largest head (32-1/4 inches in diameter) was grown in Canada in 1983.
  • The world record sunflower with the most heads (837) was grown in Michigan in 2001.

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How to grow sunflowers – Tips from Bob Koenders


Light – All day sun.

Soil type – Not particular about type, but must have good drainage. Ideal pH range is 6.5 to 7.5.

Moisture – Water to start seeds and seedlings; water older plants during dry spells; they are drought tolerant, but will wilt when they need water.

Seed depth – Approximately 1/4 to 1 inch deep; very easy to germinate and grow.

Soil temperature for germination – 45 to 50 degrees.

Sowing – Sow seeds in successive plantings for cut flowers throughout the summer and fall.

Spacing – 6-12 inches for smaller varieties and up to 24 inches for larger varieties; allow at least 3 feet between rows for cultivation and air circulation.

Staking – May be required, unless grown closer together or up against a fence. Mound soil around base to support plant.

Fertilizing – Watch the salts. Sunflowers are very salt sensitive.

Pinching – Useful for forcing side shoots or pushing all the energy into one head.

Cutting – Plants should be cut when the bud is just beginning to open and is showing a little of the petal color. Strip off most of the lower leaves but leave larger ones by the head. Cut at an angle with a sharp and clean tool. Put in water with preservative immediately.

Height – Ranges from dwarf plants of 1-2 feet to giants of 15 feet or more.

Colors – Available colors range from white and cream, to all shades of yellow through to orange, red and burgundy. Centers can be yellow, green, brown, black, and black and white.

Recommended varieties – Gold-orange: ‘Soraya,’ ‘Sunrich,’ ‘Pro-Cut’ and ‘Sonja.’ Burgundy: ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Prado Red.’

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