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
Fall Mini Course
Learn how to successfully dig, divide & store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year
In our free, three-part video series, you’ll learn how and when to dig up your dahlia tuber clumps, how to divide dahlias to multiply your stock, and how to successfully store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year.
