Lemon Queen Sunflower - Organic

seeds

Helianthus annuus
Open pollinated.

Annual. Luxuriant 8" blooms with lemon-yellow petals surrounding striking solid brown centers. Although it can grow up to 10' tall in rich soil, its powerful stems do not lodge. Likes high fertility; makes shorter stems and narrower petals in average soil. Not early; bloomed for Donna Dyrek in late August. ~45 seeds/g. Especially attractive to pollinators.

Supplier Transparency:
① Small seed farmers including Fedco staff
② Family-owned companies or cooperatives, domestic and foreign

ships year-round

This item is certified organic

5515 Lemon Queen - Organic

A: 1g

$3.95

B: 5g

$5.95

C: 20g

$12.00

D: 200g

$50.00

Quick Details

Hybrid Status: open pollinated

Compare

Compare with other Sunflowers

Variety	Product Type	Hybrid Status
Autumn Beauty Mix Organic	seeds	open pollinated
Evening Sun Organic	seeds	open pollinated
Fantasia	seeds	F-1 hybrid
Florenza	seeds	open pollinated
Green Heart	seeds	F-1 hybrid
The Joker	seeds	F-1 hybrid
Lemon Queen	seeds	open pollinated
Lemon Queen Organic	seeds	open pollinated
Mammoth Grey Stripe	seeds	open pollinated
ProCut Red	seeds	F-1 hybrid
Moulin Rouge	seeds	F-1 hybrid
Ruby Eclipse	seeds	F-1 hybrid
Schnittgold	seeds	open pollinated
Selma Suns Mix Organic	seeds	open pollinated
Soraya	seeds	open pollinated
Summer Sensation	seeds	open pollinated
Vanilla Ice	seeds	open pollinated
Zohar Organic	seeds	F-1 hybrid
Sunflower Sampler	seeds
Hopi Black Dye Sunflower Organic	seeds	open pollinated

Shipping

From early May through October 31, items shipping from our garden seeds warehouse ship twice a week, usually Tuesday and Thursday. For quickest turnaround time order online by noon Monday or Wednesday.

Additional Information

Sunflower

Annual. Sunflower remains have been found in the Tabasco region of Mexico dating back more than 6000 years. Prized for their seeds by humans and birds, and for cutflowers by market growers, sunflowers also add a lighthearted touch to gardens. Sales soared in the spring of 2020. As our facilitator Ann says, “In hard times sunflowers make people happy.”

Culture: Easy to grow. Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost at temperatures of 65–75° or direct sow after frost, 3 to a pocket. Thin to best plant, 1' or more apart. Rich friable soil yields tallest plants; drought stunts growth. Will readily self-sow; for some fun leave a few volunteers in strategic locations.

Pollen or pollen-free? Although flower arrangers often eschew sunnies with pollen, Eliza Lindsay of Portland, Ore., speaks for our pollinators: “Sunflowers that produce pollen are my favorite. They feed the bees first and later the birds.” She says to grow sunflowers for cutting and to feed your pollinators, too, you must allow some of the flowers to remain uncut to complete their life cycle. Branching varieties are tops for this purpose since taking cuts encourages branching.

She offers tips for handling harvest and post-harvest for varieties with pollen. “The trick to sell them is to harvest prior to pollination. Once pollinated, flowers begin to senesce. Harvest when the petals are fully colored, clearly visible, but unexpanded and wrapped around the flower head. Harvest with long stems set in clean water in a cool dark place. Change water daily and recut stems as necessary. They will fully open in a few days, produce pollen in the vase, but have a long vase life.”

All varieties have pollen unless noted otherwise.

Germination Testing

For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.

Our Seeds are Non-GMO

All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.