I’m looking for Japan’s tallest sunflower! If you’ve got a green thumb and a sunny spot, you could win a £250 Thompson & Morgan voucher. Sow the seeds as soon as they arrive and support them as they grow. You have until noon on October 5, 2026 to reach the sky.
Sorry, all the free seeds are gone, but if you want to participate, you can buy them here: “High Hopes” Sunflower Seeds.
How to participate
It’s easy to join:
Sow ‘High Hopes’ sunflower seeds (other varieties not included) Follow these expert growing tips Join Growing Sunflowers on Instagram. Share your progress – Post a photo or video to Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok using #TMTallestSunflower.
prize
1st prize: 2 £250 Thompson & Morgan vouchers for the tallest sunflower 2nd place: 2 £50 Thompson & Morgan vouchers for the 2nd and 3rd tallest sunflowers
How to judge the contest
The winner will be the largest grower of “High Hopes” sunflowers by noon on October 5, 2026. A proof in the following format is required:
Real photos and/or short videos of sunflowers (send to blog@thompson-morgan.com) Height (cm) (with tape measure visible) Confirmation that Thompson & Morgan ‘High Hopes’ sunflower seeds were used
10 tips for growing sunflowers
Image: Thompson and Morgan’s Sunflower “High Hopes”
If you’re starting your own sunflower seeds indoors, sow them in small pots now and store them indoors. Bury the seeds about 1 to 2 cm deep. Seeds can be sown directly outdoors as soon as the danger of frost has passed. Plant in holes 1-2 cm deep in well-prepared soil. Once germinated, select the strongest seedlings to grow. Allow seedlings grown indoors to harden off for 7 to 10 days before planting outdoors. Plant in a sunny, protected location. If possible, plant sunflowers against a solid south-facing wall for additional support. Dig in plenty of organic matter into the soil to support strong root growth. Watch out for slugs while the plants are young. If you sow in groups, thin out the seedlings early to leave the strongest plants in each location. This avoids overcrowding and competition. Once the sunflowers have grown, set up stakes and tie them to support the taller stems. Water regularly and feed with a high-potassium fertilizer such as tomato feed to encourage strong growth.
Tallest Sunflower Growing Contest – Terms and Conditions
promoter
This competition is sponsored by Thompson & Morgan (the “Promoter”), part of the Branded Garden Products Ltd group.
Trading address: Thompson & Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3BU. Eligibility The competition is open to mainland UK residents only. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older or have parent or guardian permission. Employees of the Promoter, their immediate family members, agents or anyone professionally connected to the competition are not eligible to participate. Entry Requirements All sunflowers must be grown from ‘High Hopes’ sunflower seeds provided by Thompson & Morgan. The Promoter reserves the right to request proof of seeds used. Entries must be sent via email to blog@thompson-morgan.com. Each entry must include: Name and contact details Sunflower measurements (height cm) Clear photographic evidence including tape measure Incomplete, late or invalid entries will not be accepted. Contest Period All entries must be received by noon on October 5, 2026. Entries received after this time will not be considered. Judging and Verification The winner will be determined by the tallest sunflower (in order of height). In the event of a tie, the judges may consider additional dimensions, appearance, and flower head size. The winning sunflower must be available for inspection during the week commencing October 5, 2026. The Promoter reserves the right to directly verify entries and disqualify any entry that it considers to be inaccurate, misleading or fraudulent. First prize: £250 Thompson & Morgan voucher. Two runner-up prizes: £50 in Thompson & Morgan vouchers (awarded to second and third highest sunflowers). Prizes are non-transferable, non-refundable and no cash alternatives will be offered. Notification of winners Winners will be contacted using the details provided within 7 days of the closing date. If the winner does not respond within 7 days, the Promoter reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Promotion By entering, entrants agree that the Promoter may use their name and photograph for promotional and marketing purposes without additional compensation. Data Protection Personal data provided when participating in this competition will only be used for administrative purposes in accordance with the organizer’s privacy policy. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information. Liability The Promoter accepts no liability for lost, late, incomplete or damaged entries. The Promoter will not be liable for any loss, damage or injury suffered as a result of participating in the competition or accepting a prize, unless liability cannot be excluded by law. General The Promoter reserves the right to amend, suspend or cancel the Contest as necessary due to circumstances beyond its control. The Promoter’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. This competition is governed by English law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Thompson & Morgan’s horticulture team produces a wealth of content about gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalog was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest mail order seed and plant companies. Through publishing catalogs and operating an award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the highest quality products money can buy.
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