{"product_id":"velvet-queen-sunflower","title":"Velvet Queen Sunflower","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e(\u003ci\u003eHelianthus annuus\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in;\"\u003eThe Velvet Queen sunflower is a stunning, branching heirloom prized for its deep mahogany, burgundy, and burnt-red petals surrounding a dark chocolate center. Reaching 5 to 7 feet tall, it produces multiple 5-to-8-inch blooms from mid-summer to frost, making it an excellent cut flower and pollinator magnet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to Grow\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSowing:\u003c\/b\u003e Direct sow after the last frost into well-draining, compost-enriched soil that has reached at least 65° F to 70° F. Plant seeds ½ to 1 inch deep.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/b\u003e Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to accommodate their branching habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLight \u0026amp; Water:\u003c\/b\u003e Requires full sun (8+ hours daily). Keep the soil consistently moist while establishing, though they are moderately drought-tolerant once mature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/b\u003e Deadhead (snip off) spent central flowers to encourage continuous blooming from the side-branches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eUses \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCut Flowers:\u003c\/b\u003e Harvest blooms in the early morning just as the outer petals begin to unfurl for the best vase life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWildlife:\u003c\/b\u003e Unlike sterile commercial hybrids, Velvet Queen's pollen-rich flowers and seed-heavy heads provide a reliable food source for bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds like goldfinches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAnnual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eEach pack contains approximately 50 seeds\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blooming Mad Botany","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47435964711083,"sku":null,"price":2.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/1331\/6779\/files\/images_25.jpg?v=1784526934","url":"https:\/\/bloomingmadbotany.com\/products\/velvet-queen-sunflower","provider":"Blooming Mad Botany","version":"1.0","type":"link"}