Helianthus debilis 'Soluna Lemon'
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Fast
- Flowering period: June to September
- Hardiness: Hardy annual
Light up your garden with the radiant beauty of this cheerful sunflower which blooms abundantly with bright lemon-yellow petals surrounding nearly black centres for eye-catching contrast. The cheerful 7cm (3in) wide flowers are held on tall, branching stems, creating a prolific floral display. With its smaller-scaled flowers compared to giant sunflower varieties, 'Soluna Lemon' is perfect for bouquets and beds as well as cut flower vases.
Whilst easy to grow, annual sunflowers in exposed situations may require staking or support. Water deeply but infrequently and feed sparingly to avoid prompting leaf growth over flowers. If you wish to harvest the seed, protect the flower head with garden fleece to deter squirrels and birds, or cut the head and dry indoors.
Under glass, start them off in late winter by planting the seeds up to 5cm deep in deep pots or root trainers filled with good seed compost. When large enough to handle, plant outside in spring after gradually hardening off. Alternatively, sow directly into a well-prepared seed bed in spring and thin to 30cm as they grow. If sowing outside, temporarily cover the bed with a net to protect the seeds from birds, and keep an eye out for slugs and snails when the seedlings emerge.
- Sow: February to June
- Flowering: June to September