Lemon Queen sunflowers are a cheerful heirloom variety that produce large, single blooms 4-6 inches across on tall stems, with bright lemon-yellow petals surrounding a contrasting dark brown to black center disk. The flowers have a classic open daisy-like form with slightly reflexed petals, creating a fresh, sunny appearance that stands out in the garden from mid-summer through fall. These sunflowers are excellent as cut flowers for vibrant bouquets (stems hold up well in water), left standing to attract bees, butterflies, and birds (especially goldfinches that feed on the seeds), or grown for their height and bright color impact in borders, backgrounds, or mixed plantings. This variety is a wonderful choice for Utah because it's heat- and drought-tolerant once established, thrives in our hot, dry summers and alkaline soils with excellent drainage, and delivers reliable, long-season blooms in full sun—making it a low-maintenance annual that performs consistently in our shorter growing season when using transplants for an early start.
