Helianthus debilis ssp. cucumerifolius 'Italian Green Heart'

sunflower

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: July to September
• Flower colour: greeny yellow
• Other features: contact with the foliage may aggravate skin allergies
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  The zesty-coloured flowers of this beautiful sunflower look great in a vase, and will add lots of colour to a sunny border throughout the summer. It is an easy to grow plant, so is great for the novice or young gardener. Plant them towards the back of the border and mix it with contrasting shades of rich plum and purple for instant wow-factor.
  
  
• Garden care:Under glass, start them off in late winter by planting the seeds up to 5cm deep in deep pots or root trainers filled with good seed compost. When large enough to handle, plant outside in spring after gradually hardening off. Alternatively, sow directly into a well-prepared seed bed in spring and thin to 30cm as they grow. If sowing outside, temporarily cover the bed with a net to protect the seeds from birds, and keep an eye out for slugs and snails when the seedlings emerge.
  
  
• Sow: February-June
  
  
• Flowering: June-September
  
  
• Approximate quantity: 40 seeds.