Helianthus annuus 'Lemon Queen'
This pale lemon selection is a branching annual sunflower. Plants carry many 4-6 in flowers with dark centers. It is grown for sustained bloom and pollinator activity. It performs best in full sun and moderate soils. It is grown as an annual across North America. It is widely used in pollinator counts by citizen‑science groups.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Annual sunflower cultivar
- Height × spread: 5-7 ft × 2-3 ft (1.5-2.1 m × 0.6-0.9 m)
- Bloom window: mid summer to fall
- Color & flower form: single lemon yellow rays with dark disk; 4-6 in (10-15 cm)
- Fragrance: 1 trace
- USDA hardiness: grown as annual in all USDA zones
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Cut‑flower notes: many medium stems suitable for vases; typical vase life 6-12 days in clean water depending on cultivar and care
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Lemon yellow color instead of golden orange
- Freely branching habit with numerous medium blooms
- Selected and used for pollinator observations
Strengths
- Prolonged bloom period
- Attractive to bees and other beneficial insects
- Reliable performance in average garden soils
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun
- Soil: well‑drained soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.8
- Water: deep, regular watering during dry spells
- Feeding: avoid high nitrogen to limit floppy growth
- Pinch: pinch once at 8-12 in tall to encourage branching
- Overwintering: not applicable; warm‑season annual in North America
Watch‑outs
- Flowers can appear smaller in hot, dry weather
- Birds take seeds as they mature
Best uses (tags)
pollinators, cutting, borders, wildlife
Provenance note
Listed by the Royal Horticultural Society and adopted by the Great Sunflower Project for pollinator counts; specific breeder details are not confirmed.
References
- RHS: Helianthus annuus ‘Lemon Queen’
- UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara Co.: Lemon Queen annual sunflower (event listing height note)
- UMN Extension: Sunflowers
- ASPCA: Sunflower non‑toxic to pets
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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