Helianthus annuus 'Garden Statement'
sunflower
- approx 15 seeds
- £3.29
- available to order from late spring
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.95
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: July to September
- Hardiness: hardy annual
Dark-centred, lemon-yellow, semi-double flowers top branching stems throughout the summer. These look very cheerful in the border, but will also last well in a vase after being cut. In the garden the flowers will attract all kinds of beneficial insects, and later, after they have set seed, birds will find them irresistible too. The flowers are said to be edible, the buds tasting like artichokes, while the petals have a bittersweet flavour. - Garden care:Under glass, start them off in late winter by planting the seeds up to 5cm deep in deep pots or root trainers filled with good seed compost. When large enough to handle, plant outside in spring after gradually hardening off. Alternatively, sow directly into a well-prepared seed bed in spring and thin to 30cm as they grow. If sowing outside, temporarily cover the bed with a net to protect the seeds from birds, and keep an eye out for slugs and snails when the seedlings emerge.
- Sow: February-June
- Flowering: June-September
