Helianthus Paquito - Sunflower seeds

Helianthus 'Paquito' is a new variety of ornamental sunflower appreciated for its beautiful, bright yellow, long-lasting flowers and compact growth.It forms a compact ball-shaped clump with numerous branches. It is fast-growing with the first flowers appearing only 60 days after sowing. It is equally suitable for pots or flowerbeds as well as low beds, borders or sunny rockeries. It attracts bees and pollinating insects so is also an ecological asset in the vegetable garden. Sow directly in spring in any well-drained garden soil.

Helianthus annuus is the sunflower cultivated on a large scale for the oil extracted from its seeds. This large annual plant of the Asteraceae family, domesticated for a long time by humans, has a controversial origin, but it is native to the American continent. The hybrid variety 'Paquito' is a dwarf horticultural creation. It forms a well-branched clump that does not exceed 50 cm in all directions. Flowering usually begins in early July and can continue until the end of September. It has a 13 to 15 cm diameter head, composed of a corolla of bright yellow petals or ligules, surrounding a lighter central disc. Under the best conditions, it takes 8 weeks between sowing and the first flowers. The floral stems are short, sturdy, and well-branched. The foliage consists of fairly dark green, simple, cordate (heart-shaped), toothed leaves, alternately arranged, sometimes opposite at the base. They are attached to the stem by a shorter or longer petiole and are rough to the touch.

Its ease of cultivation, large easy-to-germinate seeds, and reasonable size are very popular with children being introduced to the joys of gardening. The 'Paquito' Sunflower is particularly suitable for balconies and flower beds, as well as for decorating the vegetable garden where it attracts many beneficial animals. It only requires sun and soil that is not too dry to flourish. It has a rustic appearance and blends well in slightly wild areas of the garden, alongside cosmos, sainfoin, perennial sweet peas, scabious, gaillardias...

Before flowering, the plant optimises its growth by following the course of the sun. This phenomenon called heliotropism has given rise to some of its common names: Heliotrope, Sunflower, Garden Sun...

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 fruit and vegetable production.
The oil-rich seeds are loved by birds (parrots, tits, doves, goldfinches, siskins, nuthatches, finches...). After flowering, harvest them for the winter shortage.