Black Oil sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'Black Oil'
USDA zones2 to 11
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterNeeds moderate soil
Size5 to 6 feet tall
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Habit
- Upright
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
'Black Oil' sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Black Oil') is an annual for borders, pollinator gardens, and cottage gardens. It cannot take cold, and a freeze will end its season. This plant likes full sun, average moisture, and sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Bees and butterflies visit the yellow blooms, and birds eat the oil-rich seeds. It sits low on the menu for deer. Gardeners have long planted it as a bird-feeding sunflower.
Pairs well with Asian Garden celosia, Zucchini, and Spitfire nasturtium.