The Joker Hybrid F1 Sunflower Seeds

This wild card is a huge red and yellow bicolor sporting petals in 2 concentric rings. The outer petals on The Joker Hybrid F1 Sunflowers are long and thin, bright yellow from the tip to close to the base, where they abruptly turn deep red. The inner layer has a crested appearance, with very short, thin, tightly-packed, tufted petals that point straight up (instead of out) from The Joker Hybrid F1 Sunflower plant. This creates a fascinating double starburst pattern, enhanced by the glowing, fuzzy black center. These giant 4- to 6-inch blooms are semi- to fully double, arising on vigorous, well-branched 6-foot plants. And they're pollen-free, making them even better as cut flowers.

The Joker Hybrid F1 Sunflower plants are a good size for the back of the border, as well as next to outbuildings. They are well-branched and develop new blooms over a long season. Great as a temporary screen, too.

Sunflowers are the kings of the natural sunny summer garden, attracting butterflies and birds. They're wonderfully easy to grow—just direct sow the large seeds after all danger of frost. Not picky about soil type, they need direct sun. Thin The Joker Hybrid F1 Sunflower plants to 2 to 4 feet apart so that they can show off their foliage a bit as they grow.