Your guide to sunflower season

Big, bold and beautifully bright, sunflowers are a summer delight. Learn more about these iconic flowers, how to care for them, and the trusted M&S Select Farmers who grow them.

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Florence Head

Our 100% British-grown, vibrant sunflowers are here to lead you into the summer season. This year, we’re bringing you more sunflowers than ever before – including stunning varieties like Helios Flame and Sunrich Gold. Known to symbolise admiration and longevity, sunflowers will bring a burst of joy to any day. With their radiant, sunshine-like presence, they’re guaranteed to lift spirits.

Bold blooms

Our types of sunflower

Grown right here in the UK, all of our sunflowers are carefully selected for their quality and freshness. We’re proud to be the only UK retailer to work with our very own Flower Doctor, ensuring every stem is handpicked, quality-checked and comes with a five-day freshness guarantee. Find these in store.

Classic Sunflower: Bright, bold and instantly recognisable, perfect for bringing sunshine into any room.
Helios Flame: Rich, deeper colour tones with larger blooms for a more striking display.
Sunrich Gold: A softer, more textured take on the classic, with fuller, fluffier petals.

Shop sunflowers online

What are sunflowers?

With bold petals and oversized floral faces, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are true botanical icons. Thriving in well-drained soil and full sunlight, they can reach towering heights, making them as impressive in the garden as they are in a summer display in a vase.

Pick up a bunch

When are sunflowers in season?

Sunflower seeds are best sown in early spring and come into full bloom at the first glimpse of summer. Once the solstice arrives (in late June), vibrant yellow petals surround the gigantic flower head, adding to its statement character, perfect for a striking, feel-good bouquet. You’ll find our homegrown sunflowers in store throughout the summer.

What's in season

Meet our sunflower farmers

Lincolnshire-based M&S grower Matthew Naylor cultivates our canary yellow sunflowers that you’ll see in store. The Naylor family has farmed in South Lincolnshire for generations, continually modernising their methods with nature and sustainability at heart. “We’ve invested heavily in renewable energy,” says Matthew, who powers his farm with solar panels and uses recycled rainwater to nourish his flowers.

The Naylor farm is LEAF Marque certified, meaning its environmental performance is independently audited every year. But sustainability isn’t the only focus – Matthew also advocates for diversity in agriculture. “We work with large organisations to tackle racism and homophobia,” he says. Beautiful, long-lasting sunflowers grown with care for communities and the environment. Now that’s something to smile about.

M&S Select Farms

How to care for sunflowers

To keep your flowers fresher for longer, cut 2-3cm off the stems while holding them under running water, then remove all leaves that would be below the waterline. Place the flowers in a clean vase, out of direct sunlight. Fill the vase with one litre of fresh water and flower food. Don't forget to change the water regularly to keep it fresh. Keep your flowers in a cool spot away from direct sunlight and away from the fruit bowl (fruit can shorten the life of your blooms).

Published 29/05/2026