Skyscraper Sunflower
Reaching for the sky, Skyscraper Sunflower soars over the landscape with stalks growing 12’ high with 10-12” heads. When the bright yellow flowers fade you can harvest the edible seeds for you and the birds.
PLANTING
Helianthus annuus
Annual
Germination: 7-14 days
Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-75ºF.
Seed Planting Depth: Sow ½-1” deep
Starting Indoors: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-75ºF soil temperature. Using peat, cow, or paper pots can help with the stress of transplanting, they grow delicate roots and successful transplanting may be challenging. Transplant after the last frost, 18-24" apart. Water seedlings regularly until established.
Sowing Outdoors: After the last frost, when soil is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every- short and single stem varieties 6-12" apart, branching varieties 18-24" apart. Thin to the most robust seedling. Sow a few weeks later for continuous blooms
Growth Habit: Upright, Branching
Height and Width: 60" x 36-48"
Spacing: 12-24" apart
Light Needs: Full sun
Soil Needs: Loose, rich, well-drained
Approximate days to flower from seed: 65-75 days
Uses: Cut flowers and flower beds, short varieties-containers and planters, Attracts pollinators
Care: Mix compost into the soil before sowing or transplanting. Adding too much nitrogen can cause plants to produce more foliage than flowers.