{"product_id":"sunflower-teddy-bear","title":"Sunflower Teddy Bear","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHelianthus annuus 'Teddy Bear'\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eDwarf Pompom Sunflower 'Teddy Bear'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe compact fully-double golden pompom — fluffy chrysanthemum-like flowerheads of layered golden-amber petals on dwarf 60–90cm plants. Sunflower 'Teddy Bear' is the cottage sunflower for everyone who has ever thought conventional sunflowers were beautiful but too large, too tall, and too architectural for a small garden or patio container. Child-friendly, outstanding in 25–30L containers, no staking required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis is the sunflower for the patio, the small garden, or the container display. At 60–90cm with \u003cstrong\u003efully-double pompom flower heads\u003c\/strong\u003e that look significantly more like giant shaggy chrysanthemums than conventional sunflowers, 'Teddy Bear' is compact enough for front-of-border and container planting, cheerful enough for children's gardens, and visually distinctive enough to stand out from the flat-petalled sunflower silhouette that's become a garden familiar. The fully-double form means \u003cstrong\u003eevery flat ray petal and every dark disc floret has been transformed\u003c\/strong\u003e into a layered petal-like structure — the resulting flowerhead is a dense rounded golden cushion, more chrysanthemum than sunflower in form, more tactile than architectural in character. The variety name captures this exactly: blooms have the \u003cstrong\u003esoft rounded slightly impractical charm of a teddy bear\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eHalf-hardy annual. \u003cstrong\u003eBranching multi-headed\u003c\/strong\u003e — produces multiple flowering stems per plant. \u003cstrong\u003eEdible golden petals\u003c\/strong\u003e — they can be used as a colourful garnish on summer salads and botanical cakes. Flowers 7–12cm across, in deep golden-amber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on growing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eSow one seed per 7–9cm pot at 1–2cm depth in \u003cstrong\u003eApril\u003c\/strong\u003e at 18–22°C, or direct sow after the last frost in May. Germination 7–10 days. Plant out or thin to \u003cstrong\u003e30–45cm spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e in late May or June in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eAt 60–90cm, Teddy Bear requires \u003cstrong\u003eno staking\u003c\/strong\u003e in most positions — the compact height is appropriate for front-of-border planting and patio containers. Water deeply at the base (not overhead onto the dense flower heads, which can develop mildew when wet). \u003cstrong\u003eFor containers\u003c\/strong\u003e, use a large pot of at least 25–30 litres with good compost and daily watering in summer. Teddy Bear is one of the few sunflower varieties that performs genuinely well in containers — the compact height fits container proportions that tall varieties overwhelm. Feed weekly from June with a balanced liquid fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it shines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn patio containers and large terracotta pots — Teddy Bear is the rare sunflower that suits container display. In children's gardens — large easy-to-handle seeds, fast germination, eye-level flowering (no need to look up at 2-metre giants), and the irresistibly tactile pompom flowerheads. At the front of cottage borders for low-level golden cheer. In small gardens where space limits prevent the tall traditional varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eFor a layered cottage scheme, combine 'Teddy Bear' with \u003cstrong\u003eCalendula 'Touch of Red'\u003c\/strong\u003e (matching warm autumn-orange tones at compatible heights) and \u003cstrong\u003eCosmos 'Apricotta'\u003c\/strong\u003e (matching pastel-warm palette). For a children's garden specifically, plant alongside \u003cstrong\u003eNasturtium 'Tom Thumb'\u003c\/strong\u003e (matching dwarf habit, large easy seeds, edible flowers) for a complete child-friendly sowing experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56878763835769,"sku":null,"price":2.2,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0576\/6004\/7547\/files\/ED046729-8211-4ECF-8E79-8F9CEAC165E1.jpg?v=1774625793","url":"https:\/\/www.bishybarnabeescottagegarden.com\/products\/sunflower-teddy-bear","provider":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}