Beautiful 3”- 6” deep yellow DOUBLE blooms are very unique to the sunflower family. These cuddly looking puffball blossoms are great for kids to grow! Teddy Bear flowers on a 24"–36" tall, multi-branching plant; gorgeous as a short hedge or cut flower. Kids can get a real eyeful!
Superb cut flower for your fall décor. Drought tolerant once established. Non-fussy plant blooms until fall. Sunflowers are one of the easiest flowering plants to grow from seed. Annual.
~ planting ~
Sowing: This seed should be sown directly outdoors, since the long roots of this plant need space to develop and dislike being disturbed. In late spring after the soil has warmed to 70-75 degrees F, plant several seeds together 1" deep and 6" apart in rich, well drained soil; the seeds will begin to germinate in 8-10 days. The protection of netting or a screen may be necessary to prevent birds or animals from eating the seeds as they begin to sprout and develop; keep the soil moist. Thin to the strongest seedlings.
Growing: Water the seedlings occasionally as they develop. Mature plants tolerate drought well, though they may need regular fertilizing for the best growth. Avoid overwatering, since this can cause disease. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and birds.
Harvesting: For fresh flowers, cut the stems 11/2-2 feet in length and at an angle of 45 degrees. Strip off any leaves that will fall below the water level; place the stems in water immediately. For the longest vase life, recut the stems and replace the water every three days. To save the seeds for eating, first cover the heads with a protective fabric covering such as cheesecloth to discourage the birds and squirrels. As the heads ripen, they will drop their petals; the back of the head will turn from green to brown, and the seeds will develop a hard coating. Cut the heads, leaving several inches of stem. Hang them to dry in a protected, well ventilated area. Remove the seeds by gently rubbing the dried heads. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
About Nimble NiteCap:
• Heirloom Seeds
• Organic Seeds
• Non-GMO Seeds
• Open Pollinated Seeds
• Untreated Seeds
• US Grown Seeds
• growing instructions included
•Regular testing is conducted to uphold the highest germination standards, all the while employing appropriate seed storage techniques.
Sustainable Packaging & Shipping:
• NimbleNitecap seeds are packed in eco-friendly, compostable seed packets. Seed packets are printed in house with vegetable-based inks on biodegradable, recycled materials. (Small plastic bags are infrequently used to prevent the loss of very small seeds.)
• All orders are carefully packed and shipped with tracking via USPS First Class (or Priority, if selected) in padded ECOENCLOSE recycled and reusable mailers, or double-walled recycled boxes to protect your items in transit. Most orders ship out the same or next business day! Please note that this time may be extended during peak season.
• FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $35 or more & Flat Rate shipping no matter how many seed packets you order.