SPERLI Sonnenblume King Kong

A yellow giant: King Kong grows 3 to 4 m tall in a single summer and flowers from August to October high above everyone’s heads.

The story

Origins & history

When the sunflower arrived in Europe from the Americas, people marvelled above all at its size – hardly any garden plant grew so tall so quickly. To this day, gardeners compete for the tallest sunflower; record plants have reached more than nine metres.

Uses

Along a fence, against a house wall or as a living screen, it sets an exclamation mark in the garden. At this height it needs a sheltered spot and a sturdy stake for support. A giant is hungry: Balcony & Flowering Plant Compost in the planting hole and regular Sunflower Fertiliser keep it strong; in autumn birds peck at the seed heads.

Meaning

Its variety name borrows the famous giant from film history. In the garden it soon becomes a landmark: children measure themselves against it, and passers-by stop and look up.

A thought for giving

From a seed no bigger than a fingernail grows, in a single summer, a plant that peers over the roof of the summer house. Never underestimate what lies in a beginning.

At a glance

• Contents: 1 packet for approx. 10 plants
• Botanical name: Helianthus annuus
• Life cycle: annual
• Height: 300–400 cm
• Position: sunny, partial shade
• Sow indoors: March–April
• Sow outdoors: April–June
• Flowering: August–October
• Sowing depth: 1–2 cm
• Germination temperature: 15–20 °C
• Germination time: 7–14 days
• Plant spacing: 50 cm
• Row spacing: 50 cm
• Seed type: loose seed

How to sow

1. Start off in March and April in Jiffy pellets, or sow directly from April to June, 1 to 2 cm deep.
2. At 15 to 20 °C the seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days.
3. Plant 50 cm apart with 50 cm between rows, in sun or partial shade.
4. Put in a sturdy stake early and tie the stem loosely; one portion is enough for about 10 plants.

Delivery time: 1–2 weeks. Manufacturer: SPERLI GmbH. Seeds, not a plant – the image shows the original packet.

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