Pollinator Sunflowers
Lemon Queen
(Helianthus annuus)
Heirloom Lemon Queen is particularly attractive to pollinating bees and is often planted by researchers tracking honeybee populations. These free flowering sunflowers have branching clusters of 4-6 inch flowers with pure lemon-yellow pointed petals and chocolate centers. Plants grow 5-9 feet tall and mature early.
Pollinators of all sorts are drawn to Lemon Queen’s nectar and pollen, the blossoms make a lovely cut flower for bouquets, and birds love the ripened seeds in fall.
ANNUAL
Summer/fall bloom
Frost tender
EASIEST TO DIRECTLY PLANT OUTDOORS
Plant in full sun in good garden soil only when weather is warm and settled, all danger of frost is past and both days and nights are evenly in the 50°F (10°C) range. Poke individual seeds into well-worked soil about 1/2 in. deep, 4 to 5 in. apart. Press the soil firmly over the seeds and keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge in 8 to 10 days.
Important: when the seedlings are well-established, carefully thin them to a final spacing of 1 foot apart; this way they will have enough room to develop sturdy stalks that won’t blow over and big clusters of flowers. Any extra seedlings you remove can be transplanted elsewhere in the garden or potted up and given to friends.
GROWING NOTES
Growing these colorful sunflowers for pollinators and bouquets is both easy and rewarding. Make several sowings several weeks apart and you’ll have a succession of flowers in full bloom. Keep soil moist and well weeded and protect very young seedlings from birds with bird netting held tautly above the seedbed with supports, or use plastic berry baskets, removing baskets before plants get crowded.
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May – June
|
April – May
|
Sun
|
1/2 in. deep
4 – 5 inches apart |
8 – 10 days
|
5 – 7 feet
|
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Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May – June
|
April – May
|
Sun
|
1/2 in. deep
4 – 5 inches apart |
8 – 10 days
|
5 – 7 feet
|
Cold Winters
May – June
|
Mild Winters
April – May
|
Sun/Shade
Sun
|
Sow Seeds
1/2 in. deep
4 – 5 inches apart |
Days To Germinate
8 – 10 days
|
Mature Height
5 – 7 feet
|
From Our Gardening Resources
-----TOP CONTENT ABOVE HERE-----
LEFT COLUMN CONTENT BELOW HERE
Articles
How To Grow The Biggest, Tallest Sunflowers
LEFT COLUMN CONTENT ABOVE HERE
RIGHT COLUMN CONTENT BELOW HERE
Videos
Thinning Sunflower Seedlings For Success
Growing Your Carefree Sunflower Garden
RIGHT COLUMN CONTENT ABOVE HERE
From Our Gardening Resources
-----TOP CONTENT ABOVE HERE-----
LEFT COLUMN CONTENT BELOW HERE
Articles
How To Grow The Biggest, Tallest Sunflowers
LEFT COLUMN CONTENT ABOVE HERE
RIGHT COLUMN CONTENT BELOW HERE
Videos
Thinning Sunflower Seedlings For Success
Growing Your Carefree Sunflower Garden
RIGHT COLUMN CONTENT ABOVE HERE