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Teddy Bear
Annual sunflower cultivar
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Annual sunflower cultivar
- Height × spread: 18-36 in × 12-18 in (45-90 cm × 30-45 cm)
- Bloom window: mid summer to fall
- Color & flower form: fully double golden yellow pompon heads to about 5 in (12 cm)
- Fragrance: 1 trace
- USDA hardiness: grown as annual in all USDA zones
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Awards/registration: RHS Award of Garden Merit (2015)
- Cut‑flower notes: shorter but sturdy stems; typical vase life 6-12 days in clean water depending on cultivar and care
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Dwarf habit for small spaces and containers
- Fully double heads with minimal visible disk
- Less pollen exposure than single forms
Strengths
- Compact habit for pots and tight beds
- Long bloom in summer with deadheading
- Award‑recognized garden performance
Care in one minute
Site: full sun
Soil: well‑drained soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.8
Water: keep evenly moist in pots; deep, regular watering during dry spells in ground
Feeding: avoid high nitrogen to limit floppy growth
Pinch: optional light pinch to branch on young plants
Overwintering: not applicable; warm‑season annual in North America
Watch‑outs
- Dense double heads can hold water after rain
- Attracts fewer pollinators than single forms
- May need regular watering in containers
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
A long‑popular dwarf selection recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2015; detailed breeding history is not published.
References
- RHS Plant Finder: Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’ (AGM)
- RHS: Fleuroselect Sunflowers – People’s Choice featuring ‘Teddy Bear’ AGM
- UMN Extension: Sunflowers
- ASPCA: Sunflower non‑toxic to pets
