Astéracées • Helianthus annuus

Arikara Sunflower - Organic

"A large, nourishing sunflower, a companion to birds and gardens in full sun."

$4.49

Number of seeds 40 seeds

The Arikara sunflower is an old variety of Helianthus annuus associated with the Arikara people, who settled in the Great Plains of North America. In an ecological garden, it evokes both the ancestral act of sowing for food and the simple joy of watching, day after day, the large flower heads follow the sun's path.

This variety is distinguished by its imposing stature and typical sunflower flowers, which dominate the vegetable garden and provide a bright marker in the cycle of the seasons. The abundant seeds serve as valuable food, both for the table and for the birds that visit the living garden.

Placed on the edge of a vegetable garden or in a quiet corner, the Arikara sunflower quickly becomes a benevolent presence: it structures the space, shelters small useful fauna and participates in this harmonious garden where each plant finds its place in a rooted and respectful approach to life.

Growing climate: Warm season
Sowing difficulty level: Easy
Care required: Occasional
Growth: Summer growth

Note: Plant of full sun, adapted to hot summers, sensitive to frost.

Sunflower seeds, including those of the Arikara sunflower, are traditionally eaten roasted, whole or hulled, and can be used in many preparations: snacks, breads, cereal mixes, or salad toppings. They are also used as a raw material for oil extraction in the case of oilseed sunflowers.

Historically, sunflowers were cultivated for food by several Indigenous peoples of North America, alongside other food crops. Even today, they hold a special place in gardens as a source of edible seeds and abundant food for birds.