Silverleaf, one of the tall sunflower varieties, has silver-green foliage and long lasting, yellow flowers with brown centers. Velvet Queen, another tall sunflower, blooms in burgundy, chestnut-red, mahogany and warm bronze. Sunrich Lemon and Sunrich Orange grow to five feet and don't shed messy pollen when cut for arrangements. There are perennial sunflowers, too. They're great as a vertical Garden accent.
All sunflowers do best in full sun and grow in a wide range of soils.
Avoid high nitrogen soil which encourages plant growth but fewer blooms. Sunflowers can be planted when day and night temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Sunflowers should be watered deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots and strong stems. Permission is hereby given to duplicate this Plant talk Colorado TM script as is if credit is given to the sources.