Sunflowers: Helianthus annuus 'The Joker'

description for "Sunflowers: Helianthus annuus 'The Joker'"

'The Joker' is an especially handsome novelty from an American sunflower breeder. It's brightly bi-colored ray petals are a warm mahogany-red with golden-yellow tips and surround pretty tufted center disks. 'The Joker' is a beautiful addition to the summer garden where its vivid sunflower faces laugh joyfully in the sun. The vigorous plants bloom early, on strong stalks with branching stems of vibrant flowers. A perfect choice for cheerful, decorative bouquets. Growing these colorful flowers is easy and rewarding. Make several sowings 3 weeks apart to have a succession of flowers in full bloom. Keep soil moist and well weeded and protect seedlings from birds with netting of plastic berry baskets, removing before plants get crowded. Be sure to thin properly when seedlings are about 3 inches tall. - edited by dtd pbcouchman