Summer Lovin' Sunflower Seeds

Plant Summer Lovin' Seeds in spring, and in summer, the sunflowers bloom heavily in flowers with light cream petals, light to dark maroon rings, and a dark 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.

Although a towering, elegant, and architectural presence in the garden, Summer Lovin' sunflowers are not too tall to add to the back of a bed or border in a cottage, informal, cutting, or wildlife garden, where the tasty seeds bring the birds flocking.

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 direct sow. Just pick a sunny spot with 6 to 8 hours of direct sun, moderately fertile, humus-rich, neutral to alkaline, moist soil, 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.