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Seeds can be started under glass between February and March; for this, sow individual seeds 4 cm deep in large pots of seed compost. Gradually harden off and plant outside from late April onwards when the risk of frost has passed.

Alternatively, direct sow from late April to June by digging a hole approximately 10 cm in diameter and 10 cm deep. Fill the hole with compost, push the seed 4 cm deep and firm in. Outdoor sowings will be vulnerable to slug, snail and bird damage when the seedlings first emerge. The plants are very fast growing and will soon require supporting with a cane to prevent wind damage.

Flowers emerge from July to September.

The RHS recognises the benefits of sunflowers to pollinating insects and includes Helianthus annuus on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. Learn more at rhs.org.uk/plantsforpollinators

Honeybees and bumblebees are common sights on sunflowers. The pollen and nectar are used by the bees for energy and a protein source for their young respectively.

In addition to these, it has recently been discovered that sunflowers provide an additional service to bumblebees in particular - helping their gut health. The spiny pollen shells of sunflowers act to suppress the activity of a gut parasite called Crithidia bombi which can be a serious threat to colony health under stressful conditions. The pollen has been shown to reduce C. bombi infection rates by up to 92%.

Once flowering is over and the seeds have set, you can expect some larger flying visitors to help themselves to the energy-dense seeds - these include finches, nuthatches, cardinals and woodpeckers.