Excellent Garden Flowers

How To Grow

After danger of frost has passed, seeds are best planted directly outdoors. Sow seeds in a prepared seedbed of loosened soil. Soil should also be fertile and well-drained. Plant seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch and cover. Space the seeds 6 inches apart, and keep slightly moist until germination. The seeds will germinate in about 10-14 days. Once seedlings are established, thin plants to a spacing of 12-18 inches. Tall and over-burdened plants may require a support such as a stake to avoid leaning or drooping.

• Environment: full sun
• Average Germ Time: 10-15 days
• Soil: moist and fertile with pH 5.5-6.2
• Sowing rate: 18 oz per 1000 sq. ft.

Plant Information

Autumn beauty sunflowers are annual plants that grow in USDA zones 3 through 9. The incredible plants grow up to 6 feet tall, and a single plant can sport up to two dozen flowers at a time.

• Plant spacing: 12-18 inches
• Bloom color: mix
• Bloom season: summer
• Planting temperature: 69-75F degrees

Sunflower Autumn Beauty (Helianthus Annuus) - Would you like to grow the most cheerful of all flowers in your summer garden? Grow Sunflower seeds and enjoy these tall stately annuals that brighten up any location. This Sunflower Autumn Beauty mix produces blooms ranging in colors: gold, yellow, rusty red, burgundy and bi-colors. The blooms range in size from 5 - 10 inches in diameter. Autumn Beauty Sunflower seeds create a stunning combination of bright warm colored flowers. Sunflower Uses: The strong stemmed blooms grow on tall branching plants producing an abundance of cut flowers for bouquets. Use as a backdrop for shorter flower varieties, as a temporary hedge, or for color in the vegetable garden.

Grow Sunflower Autumn Beauty in a sunny location and in somewhat fertile well-drained soil. Keep soil weed free and moderately moist while plants are young. Once established, Sunflower plants are somewhat drought and heat tolerant. They will flower mid-summer through fall. Birds are attracted to the seeds.

How To Grow Sunflowers From Seeds: After danger of frost has passed, directly sow Helianthus seeds into prepared seed beds that are weed free and where the soil has been loosened. Space the Sunflower seeds 6 inches apart, cover the seeds 1/2 inch deep, and thin the Sunflower seedlings to 12 - 18 inches apart.

Sunflower Seeds | Giant Sungold

How to Grow

After danger of frost has passed, directly sow Giant Sunflower seeds into prepared seed beds where the soil has been loosened. Space the Sunflower seeds 12 inches apart, cover the seeds 1/2 inch deep, and thin the Sunflower seedlings to 24 inches apart.

• Sowing Rate: 2 - 3 seeds per plant
• Depth: 1/2 inch
• Moisture: Keep seed slightly moist but not wet
• Average Germ Time: 10 - 15 days

Flower Specifications

• Plant Spacing: 24 inches
• Height: 60 inches
• USDA Zones: 3 - 9
• Season: Annual

Sunflower Giant Sungold (Helianthus Annuus) - Sunflower seeds are a favorite for children to grow. They are so tall and stately that both children and adults are impressed! Giant Sunflowers have massive 10 inch double blooms that are stuffed with tiny, densely-packed petals of richest golden-yellow, all the way to the center. What an unbelievably frilly flower on the 60 inch sturdy stems. Grow Giant Helianthus in a sunny location and in somewhat fertile well-drained soil. Keep the soil weed free and moderately moist while plants are young. Once established, Sunflower plants are somewhat drought and heat tolerant. They will flower mid-summer through fall.

Growing Giant Sunflowers From Seed: Sunflowers are the kings of the natural sunny summer garden, attracting butterflies and birds. Sunflowers are easy to grow from flower seeds. After danger of frost has passed, directly sow Giant Sunflower seeds into prepared seed beds that are weed free and the soil has been loosened. Space the Sunflower seeds 12 inches apart, cover the seeds 1/2 inch deep, and thin the Sunflower seedlings to 24 inches apart.

Growing Joker Sunflower From Seed: Sunflowers are easy to grow from flower seeds. After danger of frost has passed, directly sow Joker Sunflower seeds into prepared seed beds that are weed free and the soil has been loosened. Space the Sunflower seeds 12 inches apart, cover the seed 1/2 inch deep, and thin the Sunflower seedlings to 24 inches apart.

Wild Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) - Imagine a meadow filled with wild Sunflowers! These giant annuals produce numerous 3 - 6 inch flower heads on branching stems. They are native to dry plains, prairies, meadows and foothills in the western United States, Canada and northern Mexico. The plants are coarse, hairy, leafy, and fast-growing and typically grow to 36 - 108 inches tall with stiff branching, upright stalks. The species is commonly seen growing along roads, fences, fields and in waste areas west of the Mississippi River and is the state flower of Kansas. The flower heads have orange-yellow petals and brown to purple center disks. Planting wild Sunflower seeds will create a lovely naturalized setting.

Grow wild Helianthus in a sunny location in somewhat fertile well-drained soil. Keep soil weed free and moderately moist while plants are young. Once established, the plants are somewhat drought and heat tolerant. They will flower mid-summer through fall. Birds are attracted to the seeds.

Sunflower seeds | wild

How to grow

Wild Sunflower seeds require a cold treatment. First, Sow seed in a moisten soil-less growing medium like peat moss, then enclose in plastic bag or small container and place in refrigerator for a 20-60 days. After danger of frost has passed and the cold treatment is over, directly sow wild Sunflower seeds into prepared seed beds that are weed free and the soil has been loosened. Broadcast the flower seeds and cover with 1/2 inch of soil. Sunflower Care: It is important not to over water the flowers. Too much water may result in soil loosening and losing stability to hold the large plants.

NOTE: Wild Sunflower seed has a higher percentage of hard seed. It is important to understand that there will be a delayed dormancy on a portion of the seed when planted.

• Average Germ Time: 10 - 15 days on non-dormant seed
• Moisture: Keep seed slightly moist but not wet
• Temperature: 69 - 75F
• Depth: 1/2 inch
• Plant Spacing: 24 inche

Flower Specifications

Rather than long, sturdy stalks with a single large flower head on top, wild sunflowers follow a branching pattern. Several flower heads branch off a stalk, and stalks branch off a center stem. Flowers are 2 to 3 inches wide, with small seeds. However, wild sunflowers commonly have a bold yellow color just like many domesticated varieties.

• Attracts butterflies
• Attracts hummingbirds
• Season: Annual
• USDA Zones: 3 - 10
• Drought Tolerant: Yes

Harvesting sunflower seeds

At harvest time, grasp the stem about six to eight inches below the flower head, and cut through the stem with a sharp knife or a pair of pruners. Allow to dry 2-4 days in a location safe from birds and squirrels
 

Growing sunflowers is easy, but knowing when to harvest the seeds requires a little bit of knowledge. If you harvest too soon, you will have plenty of seeds but small kernels inside. If you wait too long, however, they may dry out or simply eaten by birds.
Seeds are ready to harvest if:

• Seeds are hard and developed
• Flower petals begin to dry out and fall off
• Back of the flower head turns yellowish-brown
• You notice birds eating off the flower

 

Sunflower Sunspot Dwarf (Helianthus Annuus) - One of the easiest flower seeds to grow, Sunflower seeds, makes a huge statement in the summer landscape. Dwarf Helianthus are great for containers and flower beds, and they only reach 24 - 36 inches tall with an average sized single 10 inch head. What a cheerful plant for any sunny location and so easy to establish from dwarf Sunflower seeds! Upland game birds and pheasants like Sunflower Sunspot for food and cover.

Grow Sunflower Sunspot plants in a sunny location in somewhat fertile well-drained soil. Keep soil weed free and moderately moist while plants are young. Once established, Sunflower plants are somewhat drought and heat tolerant. They will flower mid-summer through fall. Birds are attracted to the seeds.

After danger of frost has passed, directly sow Sunspot Sunflower seeds into prepared seed beds that are weed free and the soil has been loosened. Space the flower seeds 3 inches apart, cover the seed 1/2 inch deep, and thin the Sunflower seedlings to 6 - 9 inches apart.

Sunflower Seeds | Dwarf Sungold

How to Grow

After danger of frost has passed, directly sow Sunflower seeds into prepared seed beds where the soil has been loosened. Space the Sungold dwarf seeds 12 inches apart. Cover the seeds 1/2 inch deep, and thin the seedlings to 24 inches apart.

• Sowing Rate: 2 - 3 seeds per plant
• Depth: 1/2 inch
• Moisture: Keep seed slightly moist
• but not wet
• Average Germ Time: 10 - 15 days

Flower Specifications

• Plant Spacing: 24 inches
• Height: 18 - 24 inches
• USDA Zones: 3 - 9
• Season: Annual

Sunflower Dwarf Sungold (Helianthus Annuus) - Easy-to-grow from Sunflower seeds, this dwarf variety is a favorite of home gardeners everywhere who want the delight of Sunflowers without the massive plants. This Dwarf Sungold has massive flower heads, but only grows to a maximum of 24 inches tall. Sungold  has massive 10 inch double blooms that are stuffed with tiny, densely-packed petals of richest golden-yellow, all the way to the center! What an unbelievably frilly flower on the 18 - 24 inch sturdy stems. Sunflower Care: It is important not to over water Sunflowers. Too much water may result in soil loosening and losing stability to hold the plant. Sungold dwarf Sunflower plants are somewhat drought and heat tolerant. They will flower mid-summer through fall and need little care or pruning.

Sunflowers are the kings of the natural sunny summer garden, attracting butterflies and birds. They are easy to grow from flower seed. After danger of frost has passed, directly sow Sunflower seeds into prepared seed beds that are weed free and the soil has been loosened. Space the Sun Gold dwarf seeds 12 inches apart, cover the seed 1/2 inch deep, and thin the seedlings to 24 inches apart.

Sunflower Seeds | Earthwalker

How to Grow

To sow Sunflower seeds indoors: Sow 4-6 weeks before final frost. Keep soil at 70-75ºF. Regularly water seedlings until they are established. Transplant outdoors after last frost. Or, sow directly outdoors after the last frost. Sow 12 inches apart and thin to the strongest seedling.

• Sowing Rate: 1 - 2 seeds per plant
• Depth: 1/2 inch
• Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
• Average Germ Time: 21 days

Flower Specifications

These flowers work great as cut flower too!

• Plant Spacing: 12 inches
• Height: 72 - 108 inches
• USDA Zones: 3 - 9
• Season: Annual

Sunflower Earthwalker (Helianthus Annuus) - So easy to grow from flower seeds, the Earthwalker mix provides wonderfully warm tones for the summer garden - reds, oranges, and mahogany and all with a rich brown center. These flowers have a long bloom season, going non-stop from early July through first frost. The tall Sunflowers make a good background in the flower garden or border along the vegetable garden. They are certain to attract many beneficial insects, and you'll have lots of busy buzzing coming from this mix. Start the Sunflower seeds directly outdoors once frost danger has passed. Once the flower seeds are planted, you can expect blooms in 10 to 12 weeks.