EDIBLE FLOWER Sunflower Mammoth 4″sq
$6.00
Enormous sunflower. Towering heirloom is one of the oldest, most beloved sunflower varieties. Sky-high 12 plants with huge heads are supported by great, sturdy trunks. Ready to attract pollinators and turn heads in the neighborhood. Roast grey-striped seeds for snacking or feeding wildlife throughout winter. 9-12’ tall.
$6.00
$6.00
Sunflower Growing Tips
Sunflowers, Helianthus annuus, are a bright and cheerful addition to any garden. Besides being a magnet for pollinators and fun to grow, buds and petals are edible as well as the nutritious seeds. Annual.
General Care
- Sunflowers should be grown in full sun (6+) in well-drained soil.
- Choose a location where the plants will be protected from strong winds which may cause them to flop over.
- Plants should be spaced 4 to 6” apart.
- Sunflowers are tolerant to some drought, but it may be helpful to provide some occasional water, especially when they are getting close to flowering.
Harvesting
- Young flower buds may be harvested and boiled or roasted before eating.
- Petals may be harvested and used as garnish as needed.
- There are two ways to harvest the seeds:
- Harvest the head by cutting it, leaving about a foot of the stem attached, and hang upside down in a warm, rodent-free area with good air circulation. The heads can be covered to catch any seeds if they drop out. Once the seeds have dried, they will be easy to harvest from the heads.
- Another way is to wait until the petals begin to turn brown, and then cover the head with a paper bag or cheesecloth, securing it underneath so the seeds do not drop out.
- Flower heads are mature when they begin to droop, the back of the head turns yellow, and the tiny florets in the middle of the head begin to shrivel.
