Black Russian Sunflower

Plants can be twelve to fifteen feet tall and blooms are eight inches across. Petals are a bright golden yellow and centers can be quite dark or quite light. Seeds are black and striped. A good planting for the birds. 20 seeds     PLANTING Helianthus annuus Annual  Germination:  7-14 days Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-75ºF. Seed Planting Depth: Sow ½-1” deep Starting Indoors: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-75ºF soil temperature. Using peat, cow, or paper pots can help with the stress of transplanting, they grow delicate roots and successful transplanting may be challenging. Transplant after the last frost, 18-24" apart. Water seedlings regularly until established.  Sowing Outdoors: After the last frost, when soil is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every- short and single stem varieties 6-12" apart, branching varieties 18-24" apart. Thin to the most robust seedling. Sow a few weeks later for continuous blooms Growth Habit: Upright, Branching Height and Width: 12-15' x 18-24" Spacing: 18-24" apart Light Needs:  Full sun Soil Needs:  Loose, rich, well-drained Approximate days to flower from seed: 65-75 days Uses: Cut flowers and flower beds, short varieties-containers and planters, Attracts pollinators Care:  Mix compost into the soil before sowing or transplanting. Adding too much nitrogen can cause plants to produce more foliage than flowers.