Helianthus - Sunflower Suntastic Yellow

Helianthus - Sunflower Suntastic Yellow is a vibrant annual sunflower variety that brings cheerful golden blooms to gardens, patios, and containers. This compact sunflower produces multiple 4-6 inch yellow flowers with dark centers on sturdy stems, making it perfect for borders, cutting gardens, and container displays. Unlike traditional tall sunflowers, this dwarf variety reaches just 12-24 inches in height while still delivering the classic sunflower appearance gardeners love. Suntastic Yellow offers exceptional branching habits with continuous blooming from early summer through fall, providing long-lasting color and attracting beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden space.

Key Features:

- Produces multiple blooms per plant, offering exceptional flower power compared to traditional single-stem varieties.

- Develops sturdy stems that resist lodging in wind and rain, maintaining an upright growth habit without staking.

- Attracts beneficial pollinators including bees, butterflies, and birds that feed on the nutritious seeds.

- Creates instant visual impact with bright yellow petals and contrasting dark centers that stand out in the landscape.

- Maintains a compact growth habit ideal for containers, borders, and small garden spaces where traditional sunflowers would overwhelm.

- Delivers extended blooming period with successive flowers appearing throughout the growing season.

Plant Care Instructions

1. Light Requirements:

- Requires full sun for at least 6-8 hours daily.

- Position in the sunniest location available for best flowering performance.

2. Watering:

- Water deeply once or twice weekly, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings.

- Increase watering frequency during periods of extreme heat or drought.

- Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.

3. Soil Type:

- Thrives in well-draining, moderately fertile soil with neutral to slightly alkaline pH.

- Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions but performs best in loamy soil.

- Add compost to improve soil structure and fertility before planting.

4. Temperature & Hardiness Zone:

- Hardy to Zone 3b when grown as a summer annual.

- Prefers temperatures between 70-85°F for optimal growth.

- Protect young plants from late spring frosts with row covers if necessary.

5. Fertilizer:

- Apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time.

- Feed with low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer monthly to encourage abundant blooming.

- Avoid excessive nitrogen which can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers.

6. Pruning & Maintenance:

- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering.

- Remove side shoots if larger central flowers are desired.

- Cut back plants after flowering if self-seeding is not wanted.

7. Special Notes:

- Non-toxic to pets and humans, making it safe for family gardens.

- Seeds attract birds and can be harvested for human consumption or wildlife feeding.

- Does not require overwintering as it completes its lifecycle in one growing season.