Sunflower tall 'Summer beauty'

100 Seeds

Seeding Sunflower tall 'Summer Beauty' is a great way to add bold height and vibrant blooms to your garden. This variety is typically a tall-growing annual, reaching up to 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) or more, with large, classic golden-yellow flowers — ideal for back borders, pollinator patches, or cut flower gardens.

Here’s your full seeding guide:

🌻 Sunflower 'Summer Beauty' (Tall Variety) – Seeding Guide

(Helianthus annuus)

📅 When to Sow

✅ Direct Sow (recommended):

• After last frost and when soil is above 60°F (16°C)
  → Usually late spring depending on your location

✅ Indoors (for a head start):

• Start 2–3 weeks before last frost

• Use peat pots or biodegradable cells to avoid disturbing roots at transplant

🌞 Sunflowers grow fast — don’t start them too early indoors.

🌱 How to Sow

Soil & Site:

• Full sun (6–8+ hrs/day)

• Well-drained soil, average fertility

• Add compost, but avoid excess nitrogen (leads to more leaves than flowers)

Sowing Instructions:

• Depth: ½ to 1 inch (1.25–2.5 cm)

• Spacing:

  • Direct sow: 8–12 inches apart

  • Thin seedlings to 18–24 inches for tall varieties

🌡️ Germination

• Temperature: 65–85°F (18–29°C)

• Time: 7–10 days

• Keep soil moist (not soggy) until sprouted

🌿 Growing On

• Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots

• Provide support/staking in windy areas

• Mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds

🌸 Blooming

• Blooms in ~70–90 days from sowing

• Blooms midsummer through early fall

• Flowers can be 6–10 inches across on strong, tall stems

✂️ Cut Flowers

• Harvest when outer petals just begin to open

• Use a sharp knife and place in water immediately

• Lasts ~7 days in a vase

🐝 Wildlife Benefits

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds

• Leave seed heads on for birds in the fall (especially finches)

• Can save seeds for next year or roasting (if untreated seed)

🪴 Growing Tips

• Rotate yearly to avoid soil-borne diseases

• Great as a windbreak, screen, or garden backdrop

• Avoid shading out smaller sun-loving plants behind them