Sunflower Bambino Seeds - Helianthus annuus

Helianthus annuus 'Bambino' is an ornamental sunflower variety that stands out for its beautiful flowers with a very bright lemon-yellow colour, as well as its dwarf growth. Between July and October, pretty flowers with a diameter of 15 to 20 cm form at the end of rigid stems. This variety is suitable for both pot and container gardening as well as enhancing low flower beds and borders. Moreover, it contributes to the ecosystem of the vegetable garden by attracting bees and other pollinating insects. Its large seeds are sown between April and June, directly in rich and well-drained soils, with sufficient moisture.

Helianthus annuus is the famous sunflower cultivated on a large scale for the oil extracted from its seeds. This large annual plant from the Asteraceae family, domesticated by humans for a long time, has a controversial origin, but it is native to the American continent.

The hybrid variety 'Bambino' is a dwarf horticultural creation. It forms an upright plant on a rigid, unbranched stem, reaching a height of between 0.30 and 0.40 m with a spread of about 0.30 m. Flowering takes place between July and October, varying depending on the sowing period. Its inflorescence is a 15 to 20 cm diameter head, composed of a corolla of bright yellow petals or ligules, surrounding a central disc that is almost black-brown. Under the best conditions, it takes 12 to 14 weeks between sowing and the start of flowering. The flower stems are short and sturdy, making them suitable for use as cut flowers. The foliage consists of dark green, simple, cordate (heart-shaped), toothed leaves with smooth edges, alternate, sometimes opposite at the base. They are attached to the stem by a long or short petiole and have a rough texture.

Its easy cultivation, large seeds, and small size are appreciated by beginner gardeners. The 'Bambino' sunflower is particularly suitable for enhancing flower beds and flower borders. It is also ideal for embellishing the vegetable garden and is very useful for the garden's ecological balance by attracting beneficial fauna. In the chicken coop, it becomes a valuable ally for hens, offering an interesting supplement to their diet and diversifying their environment. In cultivation, it only requires sun and moderately dry soil to flourish with ease. It is a plant with a rustic appearance and, as such, integrates well in slightly wild areas of the garden, alongside cosmos, sainfoin, perennial sweet peas, scabiosa, gaillardia, lupins, etc.

Before flowering, the plant optimizes its growth by following the sun's path. This phenomenon called heliotropism has given rise to some of its common names: Héliotrope, Tournesol, Sunflower...

To enjoy your cut sunflowers for longer, follow these tips:

• Cut the flowers in the morning just after they have opened. Use a knife that has been thoroughly cleaned beforehand.
• Remove the leaves starting from the bottom, leaving only 2 or 3 leaves below the flower.
• Change the water in the vase with fresh water every day.

Sunflowers in the kitchen: The buds, petals, and seeds are edible. Add some petals to a green salad for colour contrast and their nutty taste. The green buds can be blanched and then sautéed in garlic butter. Their flavour is similar to that of Jerusalem artichokes. The seed kernels can be consumed raw or roasted.

An ecological asset: Throughout the summer, the nectar-rich flowers of sunflowers attract pollinating insects and butterflies to your garden. A good way to improve the ecosystem and promote the production of fruits and vegetables in your vegetable garden. The oil-rich seeds are particularly appreciated by birds (parrots, tits, doves, goldfinches, siskins, nuthatches, finches, etc.). After flowering, harvest them to make some creatures happy during the winter shortage.