The perfect container variety for your backyard or balcony.
Teddy Bear Sunflower is a cheery dwarf sunflower for limited spaces or just because. It will only get about 2 feet tall and has a nice strong main stalk. The lovely yellow flowers are filled with petals which are edible. You can pick the petals and add them to salads for a nice nutty flavour. They also make beautiful cut flowers.
Although we don’t know much about the history of Teddy Bear Sunflower, dwarf sunflowers have been around for a while. We found descriptions and pictures of dwarf sunflowers in old seed catalogues going back to the 1910s where they are described as “Cut-and-Come-Again’ Sunflowers. Here is a description from the 1919 Henderson’s seed catalogue (see image):
These improved branching sunflowers [Helianthus annus] are popular, not only for garden display, but also for cut flowers. The plants form bushes 3 to 4 feet high, bearing a continuous succession of flowers from June until frost. The perfectly formed single or double flowers, 3 to 4 inches across, are poised on long, graceful stems, which “vase” beautifully. They are easily grown, commencing to flower in a few weeks from seed.
How to Plant: Teddy Bear Sunflowers are very easy to grow. Sow in the ground or in a container (about 5 gallon size) in early Spring. Sow the small seeds about ½ inch deep and keep moist until germination. Squirrels and birds also like sunflower seeds, so you might want to keep a watch for little footprints or signs of digging by little hands or beaks:)
Check out our story, “Edible Ornamental Flowers and Antioxidants” in the magazine, Canada’s Local Gardener (Summer 2024). You can read the digital version HERE.
Within Canada only shipping on sunflower seeds, thank you.
