Pale yellow sunflower 'Vanilla Ice' (Helianthus debilis) seeds
- Vanilla-hued lightness for naturalistic borders – branching, pollinator-friendly & ideal as a cut flower.
- Contents: Approx. 20 seeds
- Open-pollinated variety, seed tested regularly
€2.39
Description
Delicate-Blooming Sunflower with Natural Charm
The sunflower 'Vanilla Ice' (Helianthus debilis) is an elegant alternative to the classic, bold yellow sunflowers. Its medium-sized blooms in soft vanilla yellow with a dark centre appear natural, light and romantic – perfect for cottage gardens, wildlife-friendly borders and summery floral arrangements.
This variety branches freely and produces numerous flowers per plant. Reaching a height of around 120–150?cm, it remains compact yet forms an impressively full display. 'Vanilla Ice' pairs beautifully with shades of violet, deep red or blue, and is highly suitable as a cut flower.
Thanks to its open flower structure, this variety is particularly pollinator-friendly and is frequently visited by bees, bumblebees and other beneficial insects. Its natural, slightly wild character adds a light, airy structure to borders and mixed plantings.
Plant profile
| Plant type | Container plant, Summer flower |
|---|---|
| Use | Container plant, Cut flower, Good insect food plant, Green manure, Ornamental plant |
| Lifecycle | Annual |
| Species | Asteraceae |
| Characteristics | Food for bees, Needs darkness to germinate |
| Eventual height | 100-150 cm |
| Flower colour | White, Yellow |
| Flowering months | August, July, September |
| Root system | Deep roots, Taproot |
Growing instructions
| When to sow outdoors | June, May |
|---|---|
| Sowing depth | 2-3 cm |
| Germination temperature | 5-12°C |
| Germination time | 1-2 weeks |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Soil type | Free-draining, Fresh, Humus-rich, Nutrient-rich |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Water requirement | High |
| Planting distance | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Good companion plants | Bush beans, Cucumber, Onion |
| Bad companion plants | Potatoes, Tomatoes |
Sowing and care
Sowing and Care of Helianthus debilis
- Plant type: Annual sunflower with a branching habit
- Sowing: Direct sow outdoors from April
- Germination: Within 7–14 days at 15–20?°C
- Location: Full sun; nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
- Height: Approx. 120–150?cm
- Special features: Freely branching, pollinator-friendly, excellent for cutting
With its delicate colouring and abundant blooms, 'Vanilla Ice' brings a romantic, summery lightness to any garden – naturally beautiful and ecologically valuable.
Other names
Botanical name: Helianthus debilis
German: Gurkenblättrige Sonnenblume, Küsten-Sonnenblume, Zier-Sonnenblume
English: Cucumberleaf sunflower, beach sunflower, weak sunflower, East Coast dune sunflower, beach sunflower, dune sunflower
French: Tournesol de plage, Tournesol nain ramifié
Italian: Girasole delle dune, Girasole nano ramificato
Spanish: Girasol de playa, Girasol enano ramificado
Dutch: Strandzonnebloem, Vertakte zonnebloem
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