Helianthus annuus 'Irish Eyes' (Sunflower 'Irish Eyes')

Botanical name

Helianthus annuus 'Irish Eyes'

Other names

Sunflower 'Irish Eyes'

Genus

Helianthus Helianthus

Variety or Cultivar

'Irish Eyes' _ 'Irish Eyes' is a long-flowering, branching dwarf annual plant with rich green leaves, grown for its dramatic, daisy-like yellow-green flower heads with brown centres in summer. Sunflowers are popular plants for children to grow and attractive to bees and birds.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Branching

Colour

Flower

Yellow-green in Summer

Foliage

Green in Summer

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs , Snails

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew , Sclerotinia diseases

General care

Propagation methods

Seed

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Helianthus annuus 'Irish Eyes' (Sunflower 'Irish Eyes') will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 1m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Wildflower

Cultivation

Sow seeds in humus-rich, moist, free-draining soil in a sunny position in spring, once danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, seeds can be sown in a propagator in late winter. Protect young plants from slugs and snails and avoid acidic soils.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Helianthus annuus 'Irish Eyes' (Sunflower 'Irish Eyes')

Common pest name

African cottom leafworm; Cotton leafworm; Egyptian cotton leafworm; Egyptian cotton worm; Mediterranean climbing cutworm; Meditteranea Brocade; Tobacco cutworm

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera littoralis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Helianthus annuus 'Irish Eyes' (Sunflower 'Irish Eyes')

Common pest name

American serpentine leaf miner; chrysanthemum leaf miner

Scientific pest name

Liriomyza trifolii

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest already subject to review at the EU level (2013). Regularly intercepted in the trade.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/