Sunflower

Basic Information

Seed Number

62

Seed Name

Sunflower

Variety

Evening Sun Mixed

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Branching annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Planting Method

Direct Sow

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

May 6

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jul 15

Plantable Months

May, June, July

Indoor Start

Not recorded

Direct Sow

May 6 – Jul 15

Transplant

Not Recommended

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not Recommended

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not Recommended

Germination Days

7–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

14 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

60°F+

Planting Depth

1 in

Plant Spacing

12-18 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

12-18 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun; 6-8+ hours/day

Water Needs

Water regularly during establishment and bloom; established plants tolerate some dry periods

Soil Preference

Well-drained soil; pH approximately 6.0-6.8

Minimum Container Size

10 gal

Plant Height

6-8 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 10 – Jul 10
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–100 days to bloom
Container Friendly: Dwarf yes; giants need ground/large pots
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Seeds useful; pollinator support
Succession / Reusable Notes: Succession sow for blooms. Tall types need wind protection.
Zone 6B Notes: Direct sow after frost.
Companion Plants: Cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, melons, corn, pollinator flowers, clover
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Potatoes; may shade small crops
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Direct sow after frost once the soil has warmed to about 60°F. Successive sowings through early-to-mid July can extend bloom into fall before the October 15 frost.
Germination: Plant approximately 1 inch deep in warm soil. Germination generally occurs within 7-10 days.
Harvest: For cut flowers, harvest when petals are just beginning to lift from the flower disk. Branching plants continue producing side blooms after cutting.
Seed Saving: Allow selected heads to mature and dry. Sunflowers are insect-pollinated and cross readily with nearby Helianthus annuus varieties.
Special Care: Evening Sun is valued for branching plants and a mixture of red, mahogany and warm-toned blooms.
Research Source: Ferry-Morse — https://ferrymorse.com/products/sunflower-evening-sun-mixed-colors — Evening Sun Mixed Colors variety identity and red/mahogany flower coloration
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/sunflowers — direct sowing, germination, depth, spacing, soil and general sunflower culture
Research Source: Oregon State University Extension — https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9866-grow-your-own-sunflowers — full sun, drainage, watering and established drought tolerance
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]