90 - 110 days. Velvet Queen seeds grow one of summer's most exclusive and rare blooms, exceptional 60 – 72” tall branching sunflowers with hypnotic 8” heads of smokey blood-orange mahogany petals around a heavily black-seeded center. Velvet Queen sunflowers are grown for their rich, warm, sunset-colored petals to invigorate any garden or fresh cut seasonal arrangements. Velvet Queen seeds boast several heads per plant and can be harvested for growing next spring. Velvet Queen sunflower seeds are an ideal grow for bird enthusiasts because the countless seeds per head will keep birds well-fed and coming back for more all season long.
Growing Velvet Queen Sunflower Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Helianthus annuus
- Seed Type: Annual
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Velvet Queen sunflowers grow so vigorously that there is little reason to start seeds indoors. Sow directly after final frost in a sunny spot at the north end of the garden and shelter from strong winds. Velvet Queen sunflowers may need staking if plants are grown isolated and away from the support of a garden. Seeds will take 7 – 14 days for germination.
- Days to Maturity: 90 - 110 days
- Hardiness Zone: 2 – 10
- Planting Depth: Plant 2 – 3 seeds ½" deep
- Plant Spacing: 10 - 12"
- Growth Habit: 60 – 72” tall branching upright 10” wide with one 8” head atop the stalk
- Soil Preference: Average, loamy, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Always plant tall sunflowers at the north end of a garden because it will not take long for it to overshadow a poorly planned garden. Adjust staking and wind protection as Velvet Queen sunflower matures. Monitor regularly for foliage-eating beetles and caterpillars.
- Color: Smokey blood-orange mahogany petals around a black seeded center
Velvet Queen sunflowers grow so vigorously that there is little reason to start seeds indoors. Sow Velvet Queen seeds directly after final frost in a sunny spot at the north end of the garden and shelter from strong winds. Sunflowers may need staking if grown isolated and away from the support of a full garden. Velvet Queen seeds will take 7 – 14 days for germination. Plant 2 – 3 Velvet Queen sunflower seeds ½” deep 10 - 12” apart in average, light, loamy, and well-drained soil in full sun. Always plant tall variety sunflowers at the north end of a garden because it will not take long for it to overshadow a poorly planned garden. Adjust staking and wind protection as Velvet Queen sunflower matures. Monitor regularly for foliage-eating beetles and caterpillars. Velvet Queen sunflower seeds are quick to mature at 90 - 110 days as 60 – 72” tall branching uprights with 10” wide spreads and one 8” head of smokey blood-orange mahogany petals around a black seeded center.
A common misconception about flowering Helianthus annuus heads is that they track the sun across the sky. Immature sunflower buds will exhibit this tendency, while mature heads are fixed throughout the day, generally facing an eastern direction. The leaves and foliage, however, will lean towards the sun for full light advantage.