Annual – Ornamental Moonshadow shines in the garden with flower faces of creamy, lemon-custard colored petals surrounding dark chocolate centers. These full-framed beauties produce lots of striking 3 – 5″ blossoms on open, multi-branching stems. Plant to bring lots of branching stems of these free flowering sunflowers indoors for charming, casual bouquets. In the garden, rows of sturdy Moonshadow plants make a joyful and colorful border or flowering summer garden screen.
Soil & Water:Make several sowings several weeks apart to have a succession of flowers in full bloom. Keep soil moist and well-weeded and protect very young seedlings from birds with netting or plastic berry baskets, removing before plants get crowded. Prefer good garden soil.Amend soil with a slow release fertilizer if soil is poor – not too high in nitrogen or flowers will be sparse.Once established, plants are somewhat drought tolerant./p>
Planting & Growing:To Plant Outdoors: Plant in full sun when weather is warm and settled both day and night and all danger of frost has passed. Poke seeds into well-worked soil about 1″ deep, 4 – 5″ apart. Press soil firmly over seeds and keep moist until seedlings emerge in 8 – 10 days. Thin to 12 – 15″ apart when seedlings are large enough to handle. To Start Indoors: Several weeks before the last frost date, sow seeds 1″ deep in individual pots of well-drained seed starting mix. Keep moist and provide a strong light source until ready to plant outside when seedlings are large enough to handle. When weather has warmed into the 50F range, transplant 12″ apart in full sun, disturbing the roots as little as possible.
Soil Temperature: above 50F Planting Depth: 1″ Germination: 8-10 Days Height At Maturity: 5-7 feet Sun/Shade: Full Sun Spacing After Thinning: 12″ Approx Seeds per Pack: 35-40 Seeds
