False, Sunflower Seeds

False Sunflower Seed

One of the earliest perennial sunflowers to bloom
Golden daisylike flowers can begin opening in June
Spreading growth works best in larger naturalized plantings
Tolerates partial shade better than many true sunflowers

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Heliopsis helianthoides

Days to maturity

55 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

25 Seeds

Zones 3–9 Check your growing zone

About False, Sunflower Seed, Sunflower Seed

The False Sunflower is a very beautiful, early blooming flower that will brighten up any landscape and can be enjoyed from June until August. This very hardy plant that can survive in most climates and soil types. The False Sunflower is an early variety that is aggressive and therefore may not be suitable for small landscape plantings. This variety is a short-lived perennial.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/2"

Days to Germination

10–30 days

Germination Type

A - No Pretreatment

In-row plant spacing

18-30"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 3-9

Plant Height

72 inches

Growth Habits

Clumping, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

6,294

Color

Yellow

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Prepare for Sunflower by selecting a full-sun, warm site with fertile, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Incorporate compost and adjust nutrients and pH according to a soil test, avoiding excessive nitrogen. Wait until frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed; harden transplants and install supports before planting when the crop requires them.

Planting

Direct sow sunflowers after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed to at least about 50–60°F. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until emergence. Sunflowers generally establish best where they will grow, though indoor starts may be used briefly in individual pots. Thin crowded seedlings after true leaves form and make succession sowings for extended bloom.

Watering

Water sunflower regularly until established, then irrigate deeply only when the soil becomes dry. Avoid frequent shallow watering and saturated conditions, which encourage weak growth or root disease.

Fertilizer

Support sunflower with modest balanced nutrition after establishment, but skip additional feeding when plants remain vigorous. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which can suppress blooming.

Harvesting

Cut sunflower blooms when petals begin opening and the disk is still tight. For edible seed, leave heads until backs yellow and seeds become plump, then cut and finish drying under protection from birds.

Tips

Stake tall or branching sunflowers in windy locations. Protect ripening seed heads from birds with breathable netting or bags, and make succession sowings when an extended flowering period is desired.

AVG. Seeding Rate

50–67 seeds/100' row

Pests & Diseases

Downy mildew, rust, Sclerotinia stalk or head rot, Verticillium wilt, and Phomopsis stem canker affect sunflowers. Choose resistant hybrids, rotate away from susceptible broadleaf crops, and avoid dense stands. Remove volunteer sunflowers and do not save seed from moldy heads or plants with stalk decay.

Sunflower moths, beetles, cutworms, aphids, birds, and squirrels may damage plants or seed heads. Scout buds and leaves, handpick insects, and protect ripening heads with breathable barriers.