Strawberry Blonde
Helianthus annuus
Photo: "Copyright Vitagraph Inc. All Rights Reserved". Vitagraph Studios was a film distributor and, at the time this poster was published, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. · Wikimedia Commons · (Public domain)
Flowers have burgundy, sometimes pink petals with lemony tips and dark centers. Branching plants have long, 18-24", strong side stems for cutting. Day-length neutral. Pollenless. Branching.Edible Flowers: Flower buds can be fried and the petals used as a garnish in salads and desserts; the flavor is bittersweet.
Harvest
55-65d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Strawberry Blonde in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Strawberry Blonde · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Succession Planting
Strawberry Blonde throws branching stems that keep cutting for several weeks off a single planting, but for a steady supply of fresh blooms direct sow every 14–21 days from your last frost date through early June in zone 7. That typically means April 1 through June 10; after that, daytime highs over 90°F push plants to rush toward seed before stems are long enough to cut.
For a fall window, count back 65 days from your first expected frost — mid-October in most of north Georgia — and do one last direct sow around late July to early August. Those plants tend to be shorter and branch less, but the cooler finish improves color saturation and extends vase life compared to the June harvest.
Complete Growing Guide
Strawberry Blonde sunflowers can be started either indoors or direct sown into the garden, depending on your climate. For indoor sowing, start seeds about four to six weeks before your last spring frost date, sowing them into individual pots to minimize root disturbance at transplanting. If direct sowing, wait until soil temperatures reach at least 50°F and all frost danger has passed. Direct sowing often produces sturdier, more branched plants since this variety's side-stem development responds well to undisturbed root establishment. Space plants twelve to eighteen inches apart to allow room for the characteristic long, sturdy side stems that can reach eighteen to twenty-four inches in length. This cultivar requires well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5; amend heavy clay with compost before planting and ensure soil preparation includes organic matter for nutrient retention through the fifty-five-day growing period.
Water Strawberry Blonde sunflowers deeply and consistently, providing about one inch of water weekly through rainfall or irrigation. Young seedlings need more frequent watering to establish strong roots, but mature plants are relatively drought-tolerant once established. Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time, and provide a nitrogen boost when plants reach two feet tall to support the vigorous branching habit and heavy flower production. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can create weak stems prone to flopping despite their generally sturdy nature.
This variety shows excellent disease resistance compared to many sunflower cultivars, but watch for powdery mildew in humid conditions, particularly on lower foliage. The pollenless characteristic that makes Strawberry Blonde ideal for cut flowers and edible petals also means it won't attract as many bees, reducing some pest pressure, though spider mites can occasionally trouble the foliage in hot, dry weather. Inspect plants regularly and spray affected areas with water or organic miticides if needed.
Pruning the main central stem when plants are twelve to eighteen inches tall will maximize the branching response and dramatically increase your harvest of those prized twenty-four-inch cutting stems. This variety naturally branches well, but intentional pruning dramatically improves stem quality and quantity for arrangements. Succession planting every two to three weeks provides continuous harvests throughout the season; this day-length neutral cultivar will flower regardless of photoperiod, making successive plantings reliable. Many gardeners underestimate how much water these plants need during flowering; inconsistent watering causes bud abortion and reduces the number of harvestable petals for culinary use. Maintain steady moisture during the bloom period for maximum flower production and quality edible petals.
Harvesting
Strawberry Blonde reaches harvest at 55 - 65 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 18-24" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
Seeds are ovoid and somewhat flattened
Color: Black, Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall
Edibility: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
Storage & Preservation
For fresh storage, keep cut Strawberry Blonde flowers in a cool location (50-65°F) with 60-75% humidity; they last 7-10 days in water. Store away from ripening fruits and direct sunlight. For preservation, air-dry bundles in a well-ventilated, dark space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements. Alternatively, freeze petals in ice cube trays with water for decorative culinary use lasting several months, or press petals between parchment paper under weights for 1-2 weeks to preserve them flat for crafts and cards.
History & Origin
Strawberry Blonde is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Western United States
Advantages
- +Stunning burgundy and pink petals with lemony tips create unique visual appeal
- +Long 18-24 inch side stems ideal for professional-quality flower arrangements and cutting
- +Day-length neutral variety allows flexible planting schedules throughout growing season
- +Pollenless flowers reduce allergen concerns for sensitive gardeners and indoor arrangements
- +Edible petals and buds offer culinary versatility beyond traditional ornamental use
Considerations
- -Bittersweet petal flavor may not appeal to all palates in culinary applications
- -Tall branching plants require sturdy stakes or support structures to prevent lodging
- -Extended 55-65 day maturity means longer wait before enjoying mature flowers
Companion Plants
Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) and nasturtiums are the most practical companions here. Marigolds deter whiteflies and aphids through root secretions and foliage scent; nasturtiums act as a trap crop — aphids pile onto them rather than your sunflowers, and you can pull and bin the nasturtiums if the infestation gets bad. Borage is worth tucking in nearby too; it draws pollinators that benefit any open-faced flowers sharing the bed, and in our zone 7 Georgia garden it reseeds so freely after the first year that it mostly takes care of itself. Chives and garlic at the base add allium odor that disrupts aphid and thrips navigation.
Black walnut is the one plant to keep at a serious distance — juglone moves through the root zone and can stunt or kill sunflowers, and the affected area extends well beyond where you'd expect the roots to stop. Fennel is allelopathic to a broad range of annuals and actively suppresses nearby seedlings; more than one grower has lost a young sunflower planting to fennel they thought was far enough away. Brassicas compete for the same soil nitrogen and can shade out shorter Strawberry Blonde seedlings early in the season before they get established.
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial pollinators
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, while attracting beneficial insects
Borage
Improves soil health, attracts pollinators, and may enhance disease resistance
Chives
Repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects with their sulfur compounds
Thyme
Deters thrips and other pests while attracting beneficial insects
White clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides living mulch, and suppresses weeds
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent soil-borne diseases
Catnip
Repels ants, aphids, and flea beetles while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Keep Apart
Black walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill many flowering plants
Brassicas
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may harbor pests that affect flowers
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants and attracts harmful insects
Troubleshooting Strawberry Blonde
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Seedling stems pinched off at soil level, often overnight, with no sign of the plant above ground
Likely Causes
- Cutworms (Agrotis spp.) — larvae curl in the top inch of soil during the day and feed at night
- Slugs, especially in beds with heavy mulch or consistent moisture
What to Do
- 1.Press a cardboard or plastic collar 2 inches into the soil around each seedling stem at transplant time
- 2.Scatter diatomaceous earth around the base of plants if you suspect slugs — reapply after rain
- 3.In badly infested beds, do a shallow hand-till the week before planting to expose and dry out cutworm pupae
Gray-white powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, starting on older leaves, usually mid to late summer
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Golovinomyces cichoracearum) — common on sunflowers in humid conditions with poor air circulation
- Overcrowded planting that traps moisture around foliage
What to Do
- 1.Strip the worst-affected leaves and bin them — don't compost
- 2.Spray with a diluted neem oil solution (2 tablespoons per gallon of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
- 3.Next planting, space Strawberry Blonde at least 18 inches apart to improve airflow
Leaves with small, irregular tan or brown spots that coalesce and turn papery, starting on lower foliage
Likely Causes
- Septoria leaf spot (Septoria helianthi) — a fungal disease that splashes up from soil during rain or irrigation
- Watering from overhead late in the day, leaving foliage wet overnight
What to Do
- 1.Switch to drip irrigation or water at the base of the plant in the morning so foliage dries by midday
- 2.Mulch with 2–3 inches of straw to reduce soil splash
- 3.Remove and discard infected lower leaves as soon as you spot them — early removal slows spread significantly
Flower heads wilting or failing to open fully, with small holes or sticky residue on buds
Likely Causes
- Sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electellum) — larvae bore into developing heads starting at bud stage
- Aphid colonies (often Aphis helianthi) clustered at the base of the bud, secreting honeydew
What to Do
- 1.Inspect buds twice a week once they form; hand-pick or knock aphids off with a firm stream of water
- 2.Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray at bud stage if sunflower moth pressure is high in your area — it won't help after larvae are already inside the head
- 3.Rotate sunflowers to a different bed each year; Homoeosoma electellum populations build quickly where the crop is grown in the same spot repeatedly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Strawberry Blonde flowers last after cutting?▼
Are Strawberry Blonde flowers good for beginners?▼
Can you grow Strawberry Blonde flowers in containers?▼
What do Strawberry Blonde flowers taste like?▼
When should I plant Strawberry Blonde flowers?▼
What makes Strawberry Blonde different from other cut flower varieties?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.