Sunflower Seeds 'Gummy Bear'

• Fully double lemon-yellow flowers
• Grows to 1.2m (4ft) tall
• Up to 5 blooms per plant
• Great for cutting

Sunflower ‘Gummy Bear’ is a sweet treat with its big, fully double lemon-yellow flowers, each plant producing up to 5 fluffy blooms. Growing to around 1.2m (4ft), it looks great in borders and containers. The flowers produce very little pollen, making them ideal for cutting.

Sow indoors

March-May: Fill a small 6cm (2½ in) pot with span style="text-decoration: underline;">seed compost, shake and level firm with the base of another pot. Water well with a fine rose. Sow seeds individually into compost, pushing seeds to 1cm (½ in) deep. Place in a propagator at 15-20°C (60-70°F) or cover pot with cling film and leave in a warm room. When shoots appear, remove cling film. Keep seedlings in a light position, but shade from direct sunlight. Grow on in a minimum temperature of 10°C (50°F)

Sow outdoors

April-May: Sow seeds in pre-watered soil at a depth of 2cm (1in) in their flowering positions. Keep soil moist until seedlings are established. Thin out to 30cm (12in) apart.

Plant out

May: Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions for 2-3 weeks before planting out when risk of frost has passed. Water well until established.

Special Note: Do not remove spent sunflower heads. They provide attractive autumn seed heads which are great for providing wild birds with a treat.

Tips

Sunflower seeds are not only for wild birds. Cut and hang the mature sunflower seed head upside down in a warm, well ventilated room. Once dry push the seeds out of the head and store in a dry cloth bag. Eat as required.