Lemon Queen perennial sunflower

Growing Profile

Hardiness

Zones 4a-9a

Sun

Full

Soil

LoamClay

Water

Medium

Deer pressure

Not rated No deer-resistance category is assigned yet; treat browsing risk as local and variable.

Black walnut

Better near black walnut Use as a black walnut / juglone planning cue; tolerance varies by cultivar, soil, and distance from the tree.

Planting depth

Set the crown at the same level it grew in the nursery pot.

Container min

2+ gal (good)

Goals

Native plantsPollinators & wildlifeCurb appeal & color

Harvest & Use

Window

pale yellow flowers in late summer

Output

4-8 weeks of bloom/year

First output

1-2 yrs

Best for

Native plantsPollinators & wildlifeCurb appeal & color

Timing: pale yellow flowers in late summer. This profile tracks 4-8 weeks of bloom/year with a harvest or display window of 2-5 weeks where defensible.

Quantitative Profile

Full output

2-3 yrs

Mature size

4-9 ft H x 2-5 ft W

Spacing

2-4 ft in-row x 1-3 ft rows

Planting depth

Set the crown at the same level it grew in the nursery pot.

Container min

2+ gal (good)

Productive life

3-10 yrs

Difficulty

1/5

Reliability

4/5

Data quality

Medium profile, No pound-yield source

Pound return is the stock-style yield metric. These are planning ranges for comparing plants, not guarantees. Cultivar, rootstock, climate, soil, pruning, pest pressure, and wildlife can move actual results.

Planting Strategy

• Planting depth: Set the crown at the same level it grew in the nursery pot.
• Container minimum: 2+ gal (good). Use 2+ gal per plant, or wider mixed containers with similar water needs.
• Start with one plant when testing fit in a new bed or container.
• Use the pairing map below to choose nearby companions or compatible varieties.

Risk Factors

• Match the site first: full light, loam, clay soil, and medium water.
• Use 2-4 ft in-row x 1-3 ft rows as the first spacing model; adjust for hedges, trellises, containers, or local guidance.
• Plan around mature size: 4-9 ft H x 2-5 ft W.
• Plan pollination or companion context before planting; nearby varieties can matter for fruit set.
• Native-plant matches are starting points; confirm regional nativity, straight-species versus cultivar status, and local invasive guidance.

Related Planning Guides