Helianthus debilis subsp. cucumerifolius - Cucumberleaf Sunflower Stella Seeds

Cucumberleaf Sunflower 'Stella' features lots of beautiful golden yellow blooms on multi-branching, bushy plants. Ideal for brightening up sunny borders and summer bedding schemes. Cucumberleaf Sunflowers are pretty annuals that are generally direct sown in spring. They are particularly robust and tolerant poor and dry soil conditions.

Cucumberleaf Sunflower, or Helianthus debilis subsp. cucumerifolius in latin, is a short-lived, tender plant, often treated as an annual in colder climates. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to the Atlantic coastal regions of North America. It has since spread to South Africa, Australia, Taïwan, Slovakia and Cuba. It occurs naturally in coastal regions, tolerating drought and poor, acidic, sandy soils as well as limestone. 'Stella' is a more compact, floriferous selection with a bushy, erect habit. It grows to a height of 140 cm in the space of 3 months. Each main stem is well-branched, producing numerous flowerheads (capitulum). Flowerheads measure approximately 8 cm across, made up of golden yellow petals (technically, ray flowers) arranged around a small brown central disc. The flowering period lasts from July to late September-early October. In ideal growing conditions, flowers appear 12 weeks after sowing. The dark green leaves are simple, alternate to opposite, varying in size and shape. They are rough to the touch. Flowers are followed by seeds.

This easy-to-grow plant, with its large seeds and cheerful disposition, is perfect for introducing children to gardening. It is particularly suited to sunny borders and summer bedding schemes. All it requires is a healthy dose of sunshine and moist to occasionally dry, well-drained soil. Its flowers make fabulous arrangements combined with fern leaves, goldenrod, statice and carnations for example.

Good to know: Before flowering, sunflowers famously optimize their growth by following the course of the sun in a phenomenon known as heliotropism. All summer long, sunflowers attract pollinating insects and butterflies into the garden, improving its ecosystem and encouraging fruit set in the orchard or vegetable patch. The oil-rich seeds are a favourite with garden birds (nuthatches, tits, finches, sparrows, blackbirds etc.). Harvest them after flowering to provide birds with a valuable food source during the cold winter months.

Cooking with sunflowers:

Sunflower buds, petals and seeds are all edible. Brighten up green salads with a few nutty-flavoured petals. The green buds have a Jerusalem artichoke taste when blanched and tossed in garlic butter. Unhulled seeds can be eaten both raw and grilled.