Autumn Beauty sunflower

Autumn Beauty is an open-pollinated, branching sunflower that bears many medium to large blooms in a fall-toned mix of yellow, bronze, rust, red, and bicolors from late summer into fall. Sow seeds outdoors in full sun several weeks after the last frost, once the soil is at least 60°F (16°C). Plant 1 to 2 inches deep and about 6 inches apart, then thin to 12 to 15 inches. Give the seeds a light watering for the first 7 to 10 days, then water a couple of times a week without rain. Stake tall plants in windy spots.

Grow Autumn Beauty if you want a cutting garden full of fall colors from one packet, or a tall, informal screen at the back of a bed. Choose a single-stem pollenless type instead if you want uniform stems for bouquets that won’t drop pollen. Sow every couple of weeks for a longer show, as University of Georgia Extension suggests. Expect birds and squirrels at the seed heads in fall.

Autumn Beauty is a variety of sunflowers known for their picturesque ombre yellow-orange-brown petals. The plants are low maintenance, sturdy, and easy to grow in the full sun. They bloom in the late summer and early fall. The color of the flowers is a beautiful mixture of reds, yellows, and warm oranges that is reminiscent of autumn leaves.

Autumn Beauty sunflower basics

Autumn Beauties are sunflowers that don’t require much effort to grow. As annuals, they can be grown in any zone and are sturdy plants. They bloom from late summer all the way into fall, which explains the name “Autumn Beauty.”

Their color is a beautiful mixture of reds, yellows, and warm oranges reminiscent of fallen leaves in the fall. They don’t look like the stereotypical yellow sunflowers you normally think of, but they are just as bright and beautiful.

They can include bright yellow, bronze, and even purple shades with some bi-colors. The many blooms also draw bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

This particular variety will grow anywhere from 5 to 10 feet (60 to 120 inches) tall. They will produce very large, bold flower heads up to 8 inches across. The stem length is anywhere from 12 to about 40 inches long.

Autumn Beauty is a branching type of sunflower. This means that they produce many different flowers instead of just one, and they produce many long stems.

In addition to all this, sunflower plants are actually edible. The flower buds can be fried. The petals can actually be used as a garnish in salads and desserts too. The flavor of the flower is somewhat bittersweet, though, so add it to the food accordingly!

This is an open-pollinated type of sunflower. This means that they are a non-hybrid variety, and they can reproduce themselves in kind. As they do this, they demonstrate relatively stable traits through each generation.

How to plant sunflowers

Sunflower seeds take about 7 to 10 days to germinate. They germinate faster in warm soil, such as about 70 to 75°F (or 21 to 24°C).

Growing these plants directly from seeds is recommended rather than buying baby seedling plants at the nursery. Sow the seeds several weeks after the last frost, once the soil is at least 60°F (16°C). Plant them 1 to 2 inches deep, and go deeper in sandy soil, per UGA Extension. Plant them straight in the soil outdoors if possible (not indoors in seedling trays).

You can sow every 1 to 2 weeks. You can even plant multiple varieties for continuous blooming and harvest of sunflowers.

Autumn Beauty sunflowers should be planted in light and well-drained soil. That said, sunflowers are usually very tolerant of poor soil. You don’t want excessive nitrogen, which can cause problems as the plant grows.

These types of flowers need a lot of full sun. They should have exposure to full sun to thrive and be heat tolerant. If that’s not available, they should at least have half sun for as much of the day as possible.

Sow seeds about 6 inches apart, then thin the seedlings to 12 to 15 inches apart once they come up. Leave 2 to 3 feet between rows.

Caring for ‘Autumn Beauty’

Caring for ‘Autumn Beauty’ sunflowers isn’t difficult. Give the seeds a light watering for the first 7 to 10 days after sowing, then cut back to a couple of times a week when it doesn’t rain. During dry spells, give the plants a deep soak to build strong roots, but be careful to avoid overwatering to prevent soggy soil conditions. Applying organic mulch around the base of the plants is helpful. It holds soil moisture, reduces weed growth, and keeps the roots cool.

Support is often necessary for ‘Autumn Beauty’ sunflowers due to their height and relatively thin stems. In windy areas, the tall stems may require staking. Use garden stakes or ties to gently secure the plants, providing stability as they grow.

Fertilization depends on soil fertility. In rich soils, additional feeding might not be needed. If the soil is less fertile, consider a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support healthy growth. However, steer clear of high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production.

Pest and disease management is also a part of the care routine. Check the plants for aphids, caterpillars, stink bugs, and leaf-footed bugs. Think twice before spraying, since sunflowers also draw large numbers of beneficial insects and pollinators. Powdery and downy mildew can show up on the oldest leaves, but older, vigorous plants keep growing through them, UGA Extension notes.

While ‘Autumn Beauty’ sunflowers typically continue blooming without deadheading, removing spent blooms can promote further flowering and maintain a neat appearance. As the growing season ends, you can cut back the stems. If you’re interested in seed harvesting, leave some dried flower heads on the plant, then collect the seeds for future planting.

Autumn Beauty sunflower FAQ

How tall do Autumn Beauty sunflowers get?

Tall, often 5 feet or more, with many branching stems. Height depends on soil, water, and sun.

When should I plant Autumn Beauty sunflower seeds?

Several weeks after the last frost, when the soil is at least 60°F (16°C).

How deep do you plant sunflower seeds?

About 1 to 2 inches deep, a bit deeper in sandy soil.

Is Autumn Beauty a branching sunflower?

Yes. It sends up many side stems, each with its own flower, instead of one big head.

Can you save seeds from Autumn Beauty?

Yes. It is open-pollinated, so saved seed grows into similar plants. Let the heads dry and the backs turn yellow-brown before cutting them.

References

• University of Georgia Extension, Growing sunflowers in the home garden