Giant Teddy Bear Sunflower is one of the fluffiest sunflowers you can grow, with double blooms so soft and bushy they look like they belong in a child's stuffed animal collection. This annual cultivar reaches 72 to 84 inches tall and matures in just 50 to 59 days, making it one of the fastest-growing ornamental sunflowers available. Hardy across zones 2 through 11, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and produces flowers that are treasured both in the garden and as cut arrangements. The blooms are major pollinator attractors, turning your garden into a haven for bees and butterflies throughout the growing season.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
84in H x ?in W
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High
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The defining feature here is the texture: these aren't your typical sunflowers with a single ring of petals. The double blooms create a fluffy, layered appearance that genuinely resembles the soft fur of a teddy bear. They grow fast enough to go from seed to full-sized blooms in under two months, yet they still reach an impressive 6 to 7 feet tall, earning their reputation as the friendly giant of the garden world. Cut a stem and you've got a long-lasting bouquet that will draw admiration from everyone who sees it.
These sunflowers shine as cut flowers, where their fluffy double blooms and tall stems make them exceptional choices for arrangements and bouquets. They're also grown as ornamental specimens to add height, color, and pollinator activity to gardens, serving as living focal points that attract beneficial insects throughout the season.
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Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date, spacing them 12 inches apart with 14 inches between rows.
Direct sow seeds after your last frost date when soil temperature is between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
For cut flowers, harvest in the early morning once the blooms have fully opened and the petals have unfurled to reveal their fluffy double form. Cut stems at an angle using sharp scissors or pruners, making the cut as long as possible to maximize vase life. Remove lower leaves from the stem before placing in water.
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