Our ‘Black Russian’ Sunflower is the sunflower that produces the black oil sunflower seeds frequently used in wild bird mixes. Growing up to 15-feet tall, each blossom can measure a whopping 18-inches in diameter. The “original” sunflower, its relatives first grew on the plains of North America, the seeds then taken to Europe and cultivated in Russia to be the giant Black Russian we know today. The seeds are black and cream, with a high oil content and are highly prized by birds and squirrels, so guard them well (or harvest them before the birds do and allow them to mature off the plant).
Black Russian Sunflower Seeds Growing Information
- Mature Height: 12-15 feet
- Mature Spread: 12-24 inches
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Summer - First Frost
- Soil Moisture: Average, Well Drained
- Soil Type: Widely Adaptable
- Annual in Zones: 1-9
- Perennial in Zones: 10-11
