Sunflower Chocolate Cherry
Helianthus annuus
Deep cherry and chocolate colored petals surround a dark disk center. Sunflowers add late-summer color to your garden and floral arrangements. This drought tolerant crop attracts pollinators and birds throughout late-fall. Sunflowers can be harvested as a cut flower or left on the stock for seed production.
Seed Count: approximately 25 seeds
Plant Height: 6-7’
Light Requirements: full sun
Soil Preference: average fertility, well-draining soil, pH 6-7.5
USDA Zones: 2-10 (annual)
How to Grow
Germination: 7-21 days at 65-750F, light required for germination
Seeding Depth: 1/2” depth, light required
Spacing: 9-12” (direct seed spacing), 18-24” (mature spacing)
Days to Maturity: 70-100 days
Early-Season Seeding: Direct seed outdoors after the last frost date has passed. Starting seed indoors is not recommended since plants dislike being transplanted but they can be started 2-3 weeks before your last frost date and planted out after frost has passed for early blooming.
Late-Season Seeding: Direct seed outdoors at least 14 weeks before the first fall frost.
Growing Tips: Sunflowers can shade other plants so put them at the northern end of your garden. They also require staking and protection from wind when they are young so planting near a fence or using a stake or trellis is best. Pinching is not recommended and will lower yields. Don’t grow near potatoes or beans since seeds emit a substance that can inhibit the growth of certain plants. Sunflowers produce abnormal flowers if given too much nitrogen fertilizer and overly saturated soils should be avoided to prevent disease.
Cut Flower: Harvest when flower buds are just showing color or when they are fully open. Strip a majority of the leaves off to increase the vase-life.
Photo by @mysticangeld
Helianthus annuus
Deep cherry and chocolate colored petals surround a dark disk center. Sunflowers add late-summer color to your garden and floral arrangements. This drought tolerant crop attracts pollinators and birds throughout late-fall. Sunflowers can be harvested as a cut flower or left on the stock for seed production.
Seed Count: approximately 25 seeds
Plant Height: 6-7’
Light Requirements: full sun
Soil Preference: average fertility, well-draining soil, pH 6-7.5
USDA Zones: 2-10 (annual)
How to Grow
Germination: 7-21 days at 65-750F, light required for germination
Seeding Depth: 1/2” depth, light required
Spacing: 9-12” (direct seed spacing), 18-24” (mature spacing)
Days to Maturity: 70-100 days
Early-Season Seeding: Direct seed outdoors after the last frost date has passed. Starting seed indoors is not recommended since plants dislike being transplanted but they can be started 2-3 weeks before your last frost date and planted out after frost has passed for early blooming.
Late-Season Seeding: Direct seed outdoors at least 14 weeks before the first fall frost.
Growing Tips: Sunflowers can shade other plants so put them at the northern end of your garden. They also require staking and protection from wind when they are young so planting near a fence or using a stake or trellis is best. Pinching is not recommended and will lower yields. Don’t grow near potatoes or beans since seeds emit a substance that can inhibit the growth of certain plants. Sunflowers produce abnormal flowers if given too much nitrogen fertilizer and overly saturated soils should be avoided to prevent disease.
Cut Flower: Harvest when flower buds are just showing color or when they are fully open. Strip a majority of the leaves off to increase the vase-life.
Photo by @mysticangeld
Helianthus annuus
Deep cherry and chocolate colored petals surround a dark disk center. Sunflowers add late-summer color to your garden and floral arrangements. This drought tolerant crop attracts pollinators and birds throughout late-fall. Sunflowers can be harvested as a cut flower or left on the stock for seed production.
Seed Count: approximately 25 seeds
Plant Height: 6-7’
Light Requirements: full sun
Soil Preference: average fertility, well-draining soil, pH 6-7.5
USDA Zones: 2-10 (annual)
How to Grow
Germination: 7-21 days at 65-750F, light required for germination
Seeding Depth: 1/2” depth, light required
Spacing: 9-12” (direct seed spacing), 18-24” (mature spacing)
Days to Maturity: 70-100 days
Early-Season Seeding: Direct seed outdoors after the last frost date has passed. Starting seed indoors is not recommended since plants dislike being transplanted but they can be started 2-3 weeks before your last frost date and planted out after frost has passed for early blooming.
Late-Season Seeding: Direct seed outdoors at least 14 weeks before the first fall frost.
Growing Tips: Sunflowers can shade other plants so put them at the northern end of your garden. They also require staking and protection from wind when they are young so planting near a fence or using a stake or trellis is best. Pinching is not recommended and will lower yields. Don’t grow near potatoes or beans since seeds emit a substance that can inhibit the growth of certain plants. Sunflowers produce abnormal flowers if given too much nitrogen fertilizer and overly saturated soils should be avoided to prevent disease.
Cut Flower: Harvest when flower buds are just showing color or when they are fully open. Strip a majority of the leaves off to increase the vase-life.
Photo by @mysticangeld