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Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant native to the Americas. It commonly grows 5 to 12 feet tall and is a great focal point for any garden. Sunflower is not only attractive to the human eye, but it can be beneficial to a garden. Even so, it does have some drawbacks that you should consider carefully before planting it in a garden.

Companion Planting Companion plants help one another thrive in a garden. Sunflower makes a worthy companion plant for some vegetables. Lettuce, for example, likes shade, so in a particularly sunny area a fully grown sunflower can provide that. Sunflower roots dig deep channels, which can help corn roots grow deep in the following year if planted in the same spot. Chives make a good companion plant for sunflowers, repelling the aphids that the flowers attract.

Allelopathic Interaction Sunflower seeds have what's called an allelopathic chemical -- one that inhibits the growth of plants in the area. One on hand, this helps a garden because it can keep the weeds down. On the other, it can weaken the growth of the plants you do want. Beans and potatoes are especially susceptible to this chemical and cannot be planted near sunflowers. Do not till the sunflower remains back into a vegetable garden either, as the chemicals will remain in the soil for some time.

Attractant Sunflowers have lots of high-quality protein in the nectar, attracting bees. Once the bees drink the nectar of the flower, they travel to other plants in the garden, pollinating them and potentially increasing yields. When the sunflower dries, the seed heads attract birds, which eat pests in the garden. Sunflowers, however, also attract aphids and whiteflies, which can hurt other plants in the area.

Barrier Sunflowers can help a garden by making certain areas more attractive. For example, a row of sunflowers can add color to a fence or hide a compost pile. Planted closely together in a line, they can provide a windbreak for other plants in the garden if it is in a particularly windy area.

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