Velvet Queen Sunflower

(Helianthus annuus)

The 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.

How to Grow

• Sowing: 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.
• Spacing: Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to accommodate their branching habit.
• Light & Water: Requires full sun (8+ hours daily). Keep the soil consistently moist while establishing, though they are moderately drought-tolerant once mature.
• Maintenance: Deadhead (snip off) spent central flowers to encourage continuous blooming from the side-branches.

Uses & Benefits

• Cut Flowers: Harvest blooms in the early morning just as the outer petals begin to unfurl for the best vase life.
• Wildlife: 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.

Annual

Each pack contains approximately 50 seeds