Helianthus annuus
Botanical Name
Helianthus annuus
Hardiness
Half hardy annual
Height
2 to 10 feet
Width
12 to 24 inches
Flowers
Summer to frost: yellows, whites, reds, bronze; brown, purple, or crimson center
Light
Full sun
Soil
Well-drained to dry
Planting and Care
Space plants 12 to 24 inches or more apart, big headed types may need staking
Problems
Mildew, leaf spot, rust, stem rot, aphids
Varieties to Consider
'Teddy Bear' - 2-3', double flower
'Valentine' - lemon yellow, 5', long lasting cutflower
'Ring of Fire' - brown center with ring of red and gold petals
'Ballad' - no pollen, good for containers, 24-30", earlier bloomer, mildew resistant
'Italian White' - 5', primrose-yellow
'Mammoth', 'Russian' & 'Russian Giant' - tall, 12-15'
'Valentine' - lemon yellow, 5', long lasting cutflower
'Ring of Fire' - brown center with ring of red and gold petals
'Ballad' - no pollen, good for containers, 24-30", earlier bloomer, mildew resistant
'Italian White' - 5', primrose-yellow
'Mammoth', 'Russian' & 'Russian Giant' - tall, 12-15'