'Incredible' Dwarf Sunflower Seeds

Days to Maturity: 70

Plant 'Incredible' Dwarf Sunflower Seeds in spring, and in summer, the compact plants bloom heavily with enormous—up to 9-inch—flowers having cheery bright yellow petals and a golden center disk. Borne singly on stiff, course stems, the flower heads continue over a long season and last a long time in a vase. Be sure to cut sunflowers in the early morning to encourage longer-lasting blooms.

Multi-branched and large-leaved, 'Incredible' Dwarf Sunflower offers high impact to small spaces. It is an especially nice bed and border plant in a cottage, informal, cutting, or wildlife garden, where the flowers beckon to bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, and the tasty seeds bring the birds flocking, including goldfinches, cardinals, chickadees, and jays. 'Incredible' Dwarf Sunflower also fits perfectly in a large container.

A hardy annual, sunflowers are fast-growing, tough plants, both heat tolerant and pest resistant, including deer. But consider planting with chives. The onion scent helps deter aphids.

Sunflower seeds are easy to grow and easy to direct sow. Just pick a sunny spot with 6 to 8 hours of direct sun, moderately fertile, humus-rich, dry to moderately moist soil with a neutral to alkaline pH and good drainage, preferably sheltered from the wind. Rake to a fine tilth, clearing stones and weeds; plant seeds ½ to 1½ inches deep, spaced 18 inches apart; cover thoroughly with soil; and water regularly. Applying a light application of fertilizer at time of planting and watering deeply but infrequently, once the plant is established, promotes deep rooting. And succession planting, sowing a new row every two to three weeks, will keep sunflowers coming right up to the first frost.

'Incredible' Dwarf Sunflower Seeds can also be started indoors and planted outdoors after the risk of frost has passed. If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.