Helianthus Big Smile (Sunflower) seeds

The perfect symbol of summer, the Sunflower is one of the most widely grown annual flowers.  Very popular with children, sunflowers are ridiculously easy to grow and will flower in 7-12 weeks from seed.  Bees and butterflies love them and birds will flock to old flowerheads once they fill with seeds in late summer/autumn.  Ideal for growing in the garden or in pots and containers. and  fabulous for cutflowers.  Wherever you grow them, protect well from snails and slugs as they absolutely love the leaves and stems.

Big Smile is a lovely dwarf variety, growing to only 40cm in pots or 60cm in the garden with very cheerful, bright yellow flowers 12 cm across.  Flowers very quickly from seed in only 55-60 days, making it ideal for children or imaptient gardeners! 

Hardy Annual
Flowers: July to September
Height: 40-60cm
Position: Sun in moist, well drained soil

Packet of 15 seeds

RHS Plants for Pollinators. 

The RHS Plants for Pollinators mark is only given to plants that support pollinating insects. Find out more at rhs.org.uk/plantsforpollinators

GROWING GUIDE

When to Sow: March - April in a greenhouse or cool windowsill indoors.  Sow outdoors in the garden from May onwards.

Sowing: Sow 1.5cm deep in good quality, moist, general purpose compost, 1 seed to a 7.5cm pot.   Germination takes 10-14 days.

For outdoor sowings from April onwards, sow 1.5 cm deep directly into well raked, moist soil and protect well from slugs and snails.

Growing: Grow the seedlings on repotting as necessary and plant out when they are about 30cm tall in a sunny spot.  Water well in dry weather especially if grown in containers.