With over 70 varieties of the sunflower plant, what makes the Jade sunflower so special? This intriguing variety has many distinct characteristics, including a widely different color scheme from the typical sunflower, as well as a long list of benefits that come with adding this flower to your garden.
To find out why this sunny plant is a true star, keep reading for all you need to know about the Jade sunflower!
Jade Sunflower History
While the origins of the Jade sunflower variety remain a mystery, the wild sunflower plant is native to North America. Native Americans first used sunflowers by eating the seeds or grinding them into fine powders and mixing them into flour for bread or vegetable mixtures. Sunflower stalks were also dried and used for building support.
Spaniards brought sunflowers to Europe in the early 16th century, where they were first grown for ornamental use. When the Russian Orthodox Church banned the consumption of most oil-based foods in the 18th century, they didn’t include sunflower seed oil – which heavily increased the demand for this sunny little plant!
The growth of sunflowers skyrocketed and eventually found their way back to popularity in North America, where multiple varieties – including the Jade sunflower – developed over time.
Characteristics of the Jade Sunflower
Jade sunflowers have very pale yellow petals that almost appear to be white. The center of the flower is a light lime green color that is pollen-free – an uncommon characteristic for most sunflower varieties. Flower heads are typically between three to five inches in diameter, which makes these flowers an appealing choice for bouquets!
Due to their petite size, Jade sunflowers on the smaller side may commonly be mistaken for daisies. The best way to tell the difference is by looking at the center – the center of a Jade sunflower is usually much bigger than that of a daisy! This sunflower plant grows to reach about four to five feet tall. Light green stems average between 16 to 36 inches tall.
Benefits of Growing the Jade Sunflower
The Jade sunflower makes a stunning addition to any outdoor space. Besides adding a unique flair to your garden, there are many reasons why you should consider this sunflower variety the next time you’re looking for something new to plant!
This flower is an incredibly easy variety to grow. These flowers are very low maintenance and will produce stunning blooms in as little as 60 days. Jade sunflowers are completely pollen-free, which makes this variety a great choice if you’re sensitive to pollen!
If you like to have fresh-cut flowers for bouquets or table arrangements, the Jade sunflower is an excellent pick. In addition to being a pollen-free flower, this variety branches out during growth, which makes the long stems easy to cut and arrange.
Jade sunflowers have small flower heads compared to other varieties, which ensures that other flowers have plenty of space in a decorative arrangement. It’s important to choose flowers that complement each other when creating a bouquet – you want the assortment to blend together, not overpower one another!
Planting at Home
Sun
If you’ve ever heard that sunflowers turn their heads to follow the sun during the day, it’s true – especially when the plants are young! Who would’ve thought that sunflowers love the sun?
When picking a spot to plant your new sunflowers, make sure to pick an area that gets full sun during the day. At least six to eight hours daily are needed for this plant to reach its full potential. Sunflowers that don’t receive enough sunlight will be subjected to stunted growth.
Soil
A soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 is the recommended range for growing sunflowers. The soil should be light and well-drained. A temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for quick germination.
Spacing and Sowing
Jade sunflower seeds should be sown at 1/2 inch deep. There should be at least four to five inches of space between plants and about 18 inches between rows. Sunflowers may be planted directly outdoors or transplanted after getting a head start inside. If you choose to plant your seeds inside first, make sure to do so about three weeks before your last expected frost date.
Sunflowers are very quick to germinate and generally take between 7 to 14 days to sprout. If you’d like to enjoy continuous blooms in your garden throughout the warm weather, your sunflower seeds can be planted every three weeks to ensure a steady supply of flowers.
Sunflowers are an annual plant. However, Jade sunflowers are a very easy-to-grow variety that can make a grand addition to your garden by being planted year after year!
Watering Needs
During the early seedling stages, Jade sunflowers can benefit from significant water. Be careful not to drown your plant, but make sure that the soil remains moist. Once seeds have sprouted, your flowers will not require as much water. In fact, sunflowers are drought-tolerant plants. During the growing season, sunflowers require just one inch of water per week!
Harvesting
This variety is quick to grow and early to bloom. 60 to 70 days is the average amount of time your flowers need until they’re ready to harvest.
Where to Buy Jade Sunflower Seeds
The Jade sunflower is a rather uncommon sunflower variety, so if you’re looking to add this flower to your garden, it’s easiest to purchase the seeds online.
Check out these Jade sunflower seeds from Amazon to get started growing this remarkable plant!
A Unique Wonder
With so many types of sunflowers out there, there’s no doubt that the Jade sunflower is one of the most unique!
Love sunflowers and want to learn more about other varieties? Check out our other blog posts on the sunflower plant for the inside scoop on all things sunflowers!
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Spending her early childhood in the Hudson Valley region of New York, Alanna Singletary has wonderful memories of helping her uncle tend to his lush garden each year.
Rather than turning on Saturday cartoons, her winter mornings were filled with sap collection and maple syrup production; while summer days brought tomato picking and countless hours tending to a homemade tomato sauce.
Now residing in North Carolina, Alanna continues to assist with her father’s grand garden and is working on growing crops of her own. Her garden experience at an early age set her up for a constant desire to learn, something she continues to carry in all aspects of life.