Lemon Queen Sunflower Helianthus 'Lemon Queen'
ABOUT
The Helianthus 'Lemon Queen', often simply known as the Lemon Queen Sunflower, is an attractive perennial plant favored for its distinctive flowers and lush foliage. The flowers of the Lemon Queen are a soft, pale yellow with a lemony hue, typically featuring a dark brown or almost black central disk. These beautiful blossoms are arranged in a daisy-like fashion, with a ring of smooth, elongated petals that radiate around the center. The plant itself is adorned with dark green, hearty leaves that have a slightly rough texture to the touch. These leaves are typically oval-shaped with pointed ends and are arranged alternately along the stems, creating a dense and bushy appearance. The Lemon Queen Sunflower is known for its tendency to bloom profusely, displaying clusters of its charming, sun-facing flowers. The overall impression of the plant is one of a vibrant and cheerful addition to any garden space, catching the eye with its lemon-tinted blossoms that seem to bring a touch of sunny warmth.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Lemon Queen Sunflower, Lemon Queen
Common names
Helianthus 'Lemon Queen'
ToxicityTo humans
Sunflower 'Lemon Queen' is not known to be toxic to humans. Typically, sunflowers, including 'Lemon Queen', are considered safe and do not pose a risk of poisoning when touched or ingested. There are no common symptoms associated with poisoning from this plant because it is not considered harmful to humans.
To pets
Sunflower 'Lemon Queen' is generally not toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. This variety of sunflower is not associated with poisoning in animals, so if pets ingest parts of the 'Lemon Queen' sunflower, they are unlikely to experience any symptoms of toxicity or adverse health consequences as a result of ingestion. However, as with the consumption of any non-food plant material, gastrointestinal upset is possible if consumed in large amounts.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pale yellow
Height
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: The 'Lemon Queen' sunflower is known to attract bees and butterflies, which is beneficial for pollination in gardens.
- Low Maintenance: This plant typically requires minimal maintenance and is relatively drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
- Visual Interest: With its large, pale yellow blooms and contrasting dark centers, it adds aesthetic appeal to any garden setting.
- Long Blooming Period: The 'Lemon Queen' has a long flowering season, which can last from mid-summer through fall.
- Wildlife Friendly: Besides pollinators, it provides seeds that are a food source for birds, especially as the season turns to autumn.
- Adaptive Growth: This plant can grow in a range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soil, making it versatile for different garden conditions.
- Height and Structure: It can be used as a backdrop in garden beds due to its height, which can reach up to 6-8 feet, providing structure and support for other plants.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms are suitable for cutting and can be added to floral arrangements, bringing garden beauty indoors.
- Companion Planting: Sunflowers are often used in companion planting to draw pests away from more sensitive plants or to provide shade for lower growing, shade-tolerant plants.
- Erosion Control: The root system helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly useful in sloped areas of the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Companion Planting: Lemon Queen can be used in vegetable gardens to attract pollinators that will help increase the yield of crops like tomatoes and peppers.
- Photography Backdrop: The vibrant yellow flowers of Lemon Queen can be used by photographers as a natural, cheerful backdrop for portrait and macro photography sessions.
- Natural Fabric Dye: The petals of Lemon Queen can be used to create a natural yellow dye for fabrics, offering an eco-friendly dying option for crafters and artists.
- Livestock Feed: While not common, the leaves of Lemon Queen can be used as a supplementary feed for livestock like sheep and goats in small quantities.
- Educational Tool: Lemon Queen can be used in schools to teach students about plant biology, pollination, and the lifecycle of plants.
- Soil Erosion Control: With its spreading nature, Lemon Queen can be planted on slopes and banks to reduce soil erosion and stabilize the soil with its root system.
- Cooking Garnish: The edible flowers of Lemon Queen can be used to garnish salads and desserts, adding a splash of color to culinary creations.
- Natural Insect Trap: Lemon Queen can be planted around the perimeter of gardens as a trap crop, attracting and trapping aphids and other pests away from more valuable plants.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists can use the striking form and color of Lemon Queen as inspiration for paintings, drawings, and other art forms.
- Crafting: Dried Lemon Queen flowers can be used in crafting, such as making potpourri or for inclusion in homemade candles for decoration and subtle scent.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Sunflower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Sunflower is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Adoration and Loyalty: As a type of sunflower, the 'Lemon Queen' carries the meaning of adoration and loyalty, much like its parent sunflower species, because it tends to follow the sun across the sky, symbolizing a faithful and devoted nature.
- Optimism and Positivity: The bright yellow flowers of 'Lemon Queen' represent optimism and positivity, embodying the cheerful and radiant energy of the sun.
- Longevity and Vitality: Sunflowers, including the 'Lemon Queen', are often symbols of long life and good health, denoting robustness and the ability to withstand adversity.
- Happiness and Warmth: The warm yellow hues of the 'Lemon Queen' sunflower can signify happiness and warmth, evoking feelings of joy and comfort in the viewer.
- Fertility and Abundance: Historically, sunflowers like 'Lemon Queen' are associated with fertility due to their plentiful seeds and rapid growth, representing abundance and the ability to provide sustenance.
WaterThe perennial sunflower, often known as the 'Lemon Queen', benefits from consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. It's recommended to water this plant deeply once a week, ensuring at least one inch of water is provided to the roots. During periods of drought or extreme heat, you may need to water twice a week. Ensure that soil is well-draining to avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. Always check the top inch of the soil before watering; if it feels dry, it's time to water. Over the growing season, the average 'Lemon Queen' should receive around 26 to 52 gallons of water, depending on weather conditions and soil type.
LightThe 'Lemon Queen', being a type of perennial sunflower, thrives best in full sun, which means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for this sun-loving plant is in an area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. Partial shade can be tolerated but may result in a less robust plant with fewer blooms.
TemperaturePerennial sunflowers like the 'Lemon Queen' are hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures. They can survive minimum temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit during their dormant period in winter. During the growing season, they prefer a temperature range between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, although they can endure higher temperatures if adequately watered. Extreme heat may stress them, so providing extra water during heatwaves is beneficial.
PruningPruning the 'Lemon Queen', or perennial sunflower, is necessary to maintain its shape and promote vigorous growth. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms and prevent unwanted self-seeding. Cut back the stems to the ground in late fall or early winter after the plant has finished blooming and the foliage has died back. This not only tidies up the plant but also prepares it for a healthy start in the spring. An annual pruning like this keeps the 'Lemon Queen' looking its best.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLemon Queen sunflowers thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A best soil mix would contain equal parts garden soil, compost, and peat moss or perlite, fostering good drainage and fertility.
RepottingLemon Queen sunflowers are generally not repotted as they are annuals; instead, plant seeds or seedlings annually in fresh soil.
Humidity & MistingLemon Queen sunflower, being a hardy plant, is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels typical of outdoor environments and does not require specific humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure full sun through a south-facing window and use a large pot.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, and give ample space.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleThe 'Lemon Queen' sunflower begins its life as a seed, planted in well-drained soil in a location with full sun exposure after the risk of frost has passed. Upon germination, seedlings emerge and progressively develop a robust root system and foliage. As the plant grows, it forms a tall, sturdy stem with large, coarse, heart-shaped leaves. By mid-summer, 'Lemon Queen' enters the flowering stage, producing vibrant, lemon-yellow blooms with dark centers, which are attractive to bees and butterflies. After pollination, typically by insects, the flowers develop into seed heads containing numerous edible seeds. The plant completes its life cycle in the fall when it begins to die back, at which time seeds can be collected for replanting or left to self-sow, continuing the cycle for the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: For the Lemon Queen Sunflower, the most popular method of propagation is by seed. Typically, the best time to sow seeds is in spring after the risk of frost has passed for outdoor planting. Indoors, seeds can be started 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. To propagate, plant the seeds about an inch deep (2.54 cm) in well-draining soil, spacing them 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart to give each plant sufficient room to grow. The soil should be kept moist, but not waterlogged, until the seeds germinate, which usually takes 7-10 days. Providing a stable environment with full sun and regular water once the seedlings are established will encourage robust growth.
