Hanna's Bees Irish Sunflower Seeds - Plants for Pollinators - Easy to Grow

Attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators to your garden with this beautiful vibrant sunflower, much adored by bees. Sunflowers are easy to grow and extremely beneficial plants for bees and other pollinators.

Sunflowers are also great for kids to grow and will add a splash of colour to any garden. Flowers July-September and grows to 1,5-2 meters tall.

Planting Sunflowers support the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, and it is also recommended by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) as a good plant for pollinators. 

The vibrant sunflower is a beneficial all-rounder in the cottage garden. It can be grown in beds, borders and containers, or in the kitchen garden. Sunflowers also make beautiful cut flowers, or if the seed-heads are left on after flowering provide much appreciated seeds for birds in the autumn.

Sowing and planting instructions:

Direct sowing: Sow directly into weed free soil in April-June once the risk of frost has passed. Sow 12mm deep, cover with soil and water lightly. Thin to 30-40 cm apart when plants are approximately 10 cm tall.

To prepare the ground for sowing first clear the site of weeds, stones and sticks. Turn the soil and break up any clods, then rake so that you have a fine crumbly surface. If your ground is heavy, or you do not want to or can’t turn the soil, then clear of weeds and add a 2-3 layer of sand, soil or compost, or a mix of these, to the surface. Rake over and sow as instructed. Stake and feed as it grows and ensure to water well.

Cultivating indoors: For early flowering sow indoors in February – April and transplant seedlings into pots and harden off before planting outside once the risk of frost has passed. The seedling should be about 15 cm in height when planting out. Plant 30-40 cm apart, water and feed well and support with canes as they grow.

Sowing instructions:

Sow directly into prepared soil in March – June or August – October.
Grows best in full sun.
Flowers May-September/October.
Coverage is 1.5-3 grams/square meter.

Seeds sown in spring will flower the same year, and seed sown in autumn will flower the next year.  Because the seed mix contains seeds of different weight and size, gently shake the seed packet before sowing to mix the seed. You can also add a bit of sand or compost to the seed before sowing to make sure the seeds are evenly distributed when sowing. Spread the seed thinly, 1.5 – 3 g/square meter.

Germination: Wildflower seeds need light to germinate, so there is no need to rake in the seeds after sowing. Roll or firm the soil by tapping the back of the rake on the ground. This makes sure the seed is in contact with the soil. Make sure the soil is moist to speed up germination.

The seeds may take a few weeks to germinate so make sure the soil does not dry out. Germination will be slower if the conditions are dry or cold. Seeds sown in autumn may therefore not germinate until the following spring. Some seeds also need a cold spell to germinate, which is why some annual flowers sown late in spring may not germinate and flower until the following summer.

If birds are digging up and eating the seed after sowing, you can rake in the seed slightly or cover them with a thin layer of sand or compost. Alternatively, cover with a garden net or horticultural fleece until they have germinated or use a scarecrow.

A little bit about Hanna's Wraps:

All products are carefully handmade in Cork by Hanna using only natural, eco-friendly ingredients. She keeps Native Irish honeybees in her apiaries and from the hives they get the most exquisite raw honey, as well as beeswax and propolis for her range of honeybee products. All products are free from toxins, additives, and artificial scents. They are especially designed for use in homes where there are children and pets, and for people sensitive to allergens.

Irish grown seed. Contains: 6 grams average 90 seeds