Firecracker Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'Firecracker'
Height: 4 feet
Spacing: 12 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: (annual)
Description:
A stunning variety, featuring 4 inch wide, crimson and gold blooms; a low maintenance selection that is both edible and visually appealing; petals are a great addition to salads, adding a mild nutty flavor, while seeds are wonderful roasted
Edible Qualities
Firecracker Sunflower is a annual that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces small dark gray oblong seeds in hard shells with brown overtones which are typically harvested when mature. The seeds have a pleasant taste.
The seeds are most often used in the following ways:
- Eating When Cooked/Prepared
- Cooking
Planting & Growing
Firecracker Sunflower will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. This fast-growing annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.
This plant is typically grown in a designated edibles garden. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.
Firecracker Sunflower is a good choice for the edible garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
