Sunflower ‘Sparky’
Helianthus annuus
Description
Plants are tall, with outward-facing blooms and a vigorous branching habit ideally suited for flower arranging. Flowers have tubular quilled petals and dark chocolate centers in a mix of pale lemon-yellow dusted with cocoa and raspberry—coloring similar to that of ‘Sahara’ black-eyed Susans. Plants make great screening and attract birds.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 60 to 72 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 65 days
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 in
Pinch: when 18 in tall
Height: 60 to 72 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 65 days
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 in
Pinch: when 18 in tall
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Sunflowers can be direct-seeded into the garden after all danger of frost has passed or started indoors in trays and transplanted out after 2 to 3 weeks.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest as soon as the first petals on a bloom start to lift off the central disk. Strip three-quarters of the leaves from the stem. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Details
Description
Plants are tall, with outward-facing blooms and a vigorous branching habit ideally suited for flower arranging. Flowers have tubular quilled petals and dark chocolate centers in a mix of pale lemon-yellow dusted with cocoa and raspberry—coloring similar to that of ‘Sahara’ black-eyed Susans. Plants make great screening and attract birds.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 60 to 72 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 65 days
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 in
Pinch: when 18 in tall
Height: 60 to 72 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 65 days
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 in
Pinch: when 18 in tall
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Sunflowers can be direct-seeded into the garden after all danger of frost has passed or started indoors in trays and transplanted out after 2 to 3 weeks.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest as soon as the first petals on a bloom start to lift off the central disk. Strip three-quarters of the leaves from the stem. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101
Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series
In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.
