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.
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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:)
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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.
