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What to do with sunflower heads

Could anyone advise what to do with spent sunflower heads?  Should I cut them off and leave somewhere for the birds to peck at?  I've got a few in the front garden, they've flowered beautifully but have now withered and look unsightly.  Thank you.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    For the seeds to form and be suitable for the birds, they have to stay on the plant. If they've fully formed you could certainly remove them though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Thank you  :)
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    I always leave mine until all the seeds are eaten by the birds. Not unsightly to me as I like seeing the birds.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • Redwing said:
    I always leave mine until all the seeds are eaten by the birds. Not unsightly to me as I like seeing the birds.
    I do the same … if the stems collapse then I cut them with an 18” stem and tie them to the trellis above the garden fence so the birds can find them easily. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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