Grow a garden filled with the delightful, Yellow Pygmy Sunflower, from freshly harvested Helianthus annuus flower seeds. Yellow Pygmy will produce lemon yellow petals, which will surround a chocolatey brown center. The plants themselves only reach a mature height of roughly 1 to 2 feet tall and are perfect for low growing flower beds. Yellow Pygmy is a single stem variety, which means that it will grow upright, displaying one single bloom per plant. The leaves, like most sunflowers, are large and spade shaped, while the flowers measure about 6 inches in diameter.
Yellow Pygmy Sunflowers will attract all sorts of beneficial insects to the garden, such as butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees, hummingbirds & ladybugs as well. The plants also make an excellent cut flower, for many floral arrangements and bouquets. Yellow Pygmy is categorized as an annual flowering plant. This means that it will grow quickly from freshly harvested sunflower seeds, producing its leaves, flowers and seeds all within a single growing season. The plants later wilt with the cooler temperatures of the Autumn season. The seeds can be collected if the squirrels and birds don’t get to them first.
Quick Facts
- Type: Flower
- Color: Yellow
- Height: 12″ to 24″ Tall
- Width: 18″ Spread
- Season: Annual
- Zones: All
- Environment: Full sun
Sowing The Seed
Sunflowers are not particularly fond of being transplanted, but if started indoors, sow in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost. Sow at a depth of 1/2” under topsoil. Transplant entire pots into the garden, or direct sow when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed. Stakes may be necessary to support your Sunflowers, only until the stems become strong enough to stand on their own.
Growing Conditions
Sunflowers grow long taproots and may rot if the roots become waterlogged. It is recommended to check your sowing area for hard, compacted soil prior to sowing. Renew any hard, compacted soil with a mixture of compost. Sunflowers will enjoy an area of full sunlight for the majority of the day and should be watered daily so that the soil is kept moist until germination has occurred.
Germination & Growth
Your Yellow Pygmy Sunflower seeds will begin to germinate within 7 to 10 days after sowing. The plants will grow to a mature height of only 1 to 2 feet tall and can be spaced about 6 to 12 inches apart from one another.Yellow Pygmy will produce delightful flowers with yellow petals, accented with a chocolatey brown center. These plants are perfect for low growing flower beds and will attract an array of beneficial insects to the garden. Makes an excellent cut flower as well.