Dwarf 'Sunspot' sunflower brings the classic beauty of a giant sunflower into a compact 24 to 36 inch frame, producing cheerful yellow flower heads that span eight inches or more. This annual thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 4 and warmer, reaching mature harvest in just 60 days. Its small stature solves real gardening problems, fitting into containers, lining pathways, and fronting borders without creating unwanted shade. Growing from seed is straightforward, with germination occurring between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
4-4
36in H x 8in W
—
Low
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The 'Sunspot' sunflower delivers genuine full-size flower impact from a plant that stays under three feet tall. Unlike towering varieties that demand staking and monopolize garden space, this cultivar produces enormous sunny-yellow blooms while maintaining a tidy, upright form that slots seamlessly into small gardens, containers, and mixed borders. Gardeners with limited space or shade concerns finally get to grow a true sunflower without compromises.
This variety thrives as a cut flower, bringing bold color indoors while the compact size makes it exceptionally well-suited to container gardening. Its manageable height and prominent blooms also make it an excellent choice for creating visual impact along walkways and at the front of garden borders without overwhelming surrounding plantings.
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Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants 8 inches apart in full sun. Harden off indoor-started seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before final planting.
Direct sow seeds into warm soil once temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the last frost date has passed. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in rows spaced 8 inches apart. Germination typically occurs within 7 to 10 days.
Harvest sunflower blooms for cutting once petals have fully opened and the flower face is bright yellow. Cut stems in the early morning using a sharp knife, leaving 6 to 8 inches of stem on the plant. For dried seed heads, allow flowers to mature fully and the back of the head to turn brown before cutting.
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