Gummy Bear Sunflower is a cheerful, compact cultivar of Helianthus annuus that brings dwarf sunflower charm to containers and garden beds across zones 2 through 11. True to its whimsical name, this open-pollinated variety grows low and full, reaching maturity in just 75 to 85 days from seed. It pairs beautifully with its companion variety, Teddy Bear, creating a charming duo for summer color. This sunflower thrives on minimal water and full sun, making it exceptionally low-maintenance for gardeners seeking reliable, cheerful blooms without fuss.
3
Full Sun
Low To Moderate
2-11
?in H x ?in W
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High
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Gummy Bear Sunflower earns its name through compact, bushy growth that looks at home in a 6-inch pot or a crowded garden bed, needing just 3 inches of spacing to thrive. Direct seeding after the last frost, or transplanting just 3 to 4 weeks before planting out, means you'll see flowers in less than three months. The real strength here is its drought tolerance and sun hunger; once established, it asks for deep but infrequent watering and full sun to perform at its best. Its flowers transition from fresh-cut blooms through complete maturity, offering multiple harvest windows depending on whether you want them for the vase or for drying.
Gummy Bear Sunflower excels in containers, window boxes, and mass plantings where its compact habit fills space efficiently without sprawling. The flowers work beautifully as fresh-cut blooms for small bouquets or arrangements, and they dry exceptionally well for long-lasting dried arrangements or wreaths. If you're growing for seed, mature dried heads can be harvested and the seeds processed for eating.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow one seed per 6-inch pot or three seeds per gallon container, placing seeds 1/2 inch deep. Start indoors 3 to 4 weeks before your planned outdoor planting date, keeping soil between 50 and 75°F for germination. This sunflower dislikes root disturbance, so sow directly into your final container rather than transplanting seedlings multiple times. Wait until three to four true leaves have appeared before moving plants outdoors.
Transplant outdoors after the last frost in your zone, when soil has warmed thoroughly. Harden off seedlings gradually over a week before moving them to their final location. Space plants 3 inches apart (or up to 8 inches for bushier specimens), with rows 30 inches apart.
Direct sow in the garden as soon as soil temperature reaches at least 55°F, ideally after the last frost date for your zone. Sow seeds in groups of 3 to 4, planting 1/2 inch deep. Thin to one plant per location once true leaves appear.
For fresh cut flowers, harvest in the morning just after the flowers open, using a clean knife. For dried flowers, wait until blooms are completely open. To encourage continued flowering, cut the mature central head as soon as the bracts begin to shrivel. Hang dried flowers upside down in a barn, shed, or well-ventilated space to cure. For seed harvest, allow flower heads to dry fully on the plant, then rub the seeds from the heads when completely dry.
No pruning is necessary for Gummy Bear Sunflower's compact growth habit. If you're harvesting mature central flower heads for seed, cutting the main bloom will promote side-shoot flower production, extending your blooming period.
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