A clever hack will help your sunflowers grow brighter and stronger and it won't cost a penny to do. Sunflowers are a showstopping garden feature and often pull focus with their vibrant colours and appealing aesthetic. Sunflowers are a relatively common flower to grow in the UK, and gardeners can do so quite easily. However, there is an extra thing that Brits can do to make sure their sunflowers bloom bright this year. 

In Britain, sunflowers will typically bloom in mid-summer. So, we don't have long to wait until these majestic flowers add a spark of magic to our gardens. But to make sure they bloom as bright and healthily as they can, there is one simple trick we can employ when we are planting these flowers. Elise Harlock, Brand Manager at Prestige Flowers, revealed that leftover toilet roll tubes are the secret to success when it comes to sunflowers. 

She revealed: "Sunflowers, also known as Helianthus, are usually yellow but there are some varieties that are rusty red, green and even white. If you’re wanting to start growing a few sunflowers at the same time, seed trays are your friend, keeping the seedlings separate so they have space to grow without competition.

"But a cheaper method is using toilet roll tubes that you would usually throw away." She continues: "Cardboard is biodegradable, so you can put your sunflower into the soil in its container. But if you feel your plant is getting too big for the tube, you can easily cut and remove the cardboard and plant it in a bigger pot.

"To start your toilet roll plant pots, make some cuts at one end so you can fold the ends in to make a solid base. Then fill with soil, leaving a centimetre at the top. Plant your seed about a centimetre into the soil so it’s cosy in the soil, without being too far from access to water and oxygen."

Elise explains that you should put your seedlings in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. The cardboard will provide some protection to young seeds, and also prevent the plants from competing for resources if you plant a few at a time. 

She adds: "When your sunflower starts to grow, you can transfer it in soil outside or keep it in a pot. These flowers thrive when they have access to six to eight hours of sunlight a day. Though they can be strong, a support from a bamboo stick can prevent it from falling over. Keep your soil moist but avoid overwatering so you don’t cause root rot. 

"You can plant sunflower seeds at different times throughout the spring months, they can take around 11 weeks to eventually bloom, so you can keep your garden looking bright throughout summer. The heads are long-lasting and they also make an excellent cut flower. They’re not toxic to pets or humans so you can safely bring them into your home to add some cheer."