Soraya Sunflower stands out with its rich orange petals and deep brown center, a dramatic departure from typical yellow varieties. This 50-inch tall cultivar produces an abundance of 4- to 6-inch blooms over a 85-day season, thriving in full sun with minimal water once established. Direct sow after the last frost, spacing plants 8 inches apart, and you'll have a profusion of flowers ready for cutting or seed saving by late summer.
8
Full Sun
Low To Moderate
2-11
50in H x 24in W
—
High
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The color alone makes Soraya worth growing: warm orange petals surrounding a chocolate-brown center create a richer, more sophisticated palette than standard sunflowers. It flowers prolifically when deadheaded, and seeds mature reliably for both bird feeding and saving. The compact 50-inch height and moderate 18- to 24-inch spread fit nicely into garden borders without overwhelming neighbors, yet the blooms are substantial enough at 4 to 6 inches across to make a real visual impact.
Soraya excels as a cut flower, particularly when harvested in the morning just after opening. Cutting the main flower head encourages additional side-shoot blooms throughout the season, extending your harvest window. The mature seed heads can be left on the plant to feed birds, or harvested, dried, and the seeds saved for next year's planting or roasting.
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Direct sow outdoors after the last frost and until mid-June for a succession of autumnal blooms. Sow seeds where you want them to grow, either scattered or in rows. Direct sow as soon as the soil warms to at least 55°F.
For cut flowers, harvest in the morning just after the blooms open using a clean knife. Place stems in a clean vase with a few drops of chlorine bleach in the water to extend vase life. For seed heads, wait until the bracts (outer protective leaves) begin to shrivel, then cut the entire head and hang it upside down in a barn or shed to dry completely before removing seeds.
Cut blooms regularly to encourage continued flowering throughout the season. Cutting the mature central flower head will promote vigorous side-shoot flower production. If you prefer to save seeds rather than deadhead, allow the central flower to mature fully on the plant.
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