Sunflower Waooh!

Helianthus annuus 'Waooh!' Long-Season Cutting Sunflower 'Waooh!'

A compact, bushy, heavily branching variety smothered in dozens of classic golden-yellow flowers from midsummer right through to the first frosts — pollen-free, self-supporting, and extraordinarily generous. Sunflower 'Waooh!' is the cutting garden sunflower that earns its name every single day, producing essentially inexhaustible armfuls of clean classic sunflower stems from July through October.

While other sunflower varieties are statement plants producing flowers over a defined summer period, 'Waooh!' is a long-season cutting machine — a compact heavily-branching plant that keeps producing classic golden-yellow stems from midsummer right through to the first autumn frosts. The plant is smothered in dozens of medium-sized flowers (10–12cm) across the extended flowering season, each one a clean classic sunflower form with bright golden-yellow petals around a striking dark central disc. The pollen-free characteristic is the result of deliberate breeding selection — the anthers produce no viable pollen, meaning the central disc remains clean, dark, and visually striking without the yellow dusting that conventional sunflowers produce. Self-supporting habit (the compact 90–120cm height and bushy structure mean no staking required). Half-hardy annual.

The cutting-garden quality: 'Waooh!' is genuinely the sunflower to grow if cutting is the priority. A single plant produces dozens of stems across the season; a row of six plants produces an essentially inexhaustible supply of classic sunflower cutting material for an entire household from July through October.

A note on growing

Sow one seed per 7–9cm pot at 1–2cm depth in late March to April at 18–22°C — individual pot sowing is strongly recommended for sunflowers as the taproot develops quickly and resents disturbance. Germination 7–10 days. Direct sow outdoors after the last frost from late April to May for outdoor-only growing.

Harden off thoroughly before planting out late May or early June. Space 30–40cm apart (closer than the taller varieties, reflecting 'Waooh!'s compact branching habit). For a temporary flowering hedge effect, plant in a double staggered row at 25–30cm spacings. Full sun produces the most prolific flowering. Slug protection for the first 2–3 weeks. Water deeply at the base, feed fortnightly through midsummer.

Where it shines

In the cottage cutting garden specifically as the sunflower for serious cutting — 'Waooh!' produces more stems over a longer season than any other variety in the range. As a temporary flowering hedge or screen — a double staggered row creates a wall of golden flowers for an entire summer. In cottage borders for reliable warm colour throughout the season. As children's-garden plants for guaranteed abundant flowering.

Plant alongside

The classic cutting garden combination: pair 'Waooh!' with Ammi majus (white cloud) — the cloud of white Ammi lace around the golden 'Waooh!' is one of the most universally admired summer cutting garden combinations, and the pollen-free 'Waooh!' makes the partnership as practical as it is beautiful (no pollen to contend with in the vase). For architectural cool contrast, combine with Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' — the cool spiky steel-blue globes alongside the warm golden 'Waooh!' is a combination with deep roots in the Arts and Crafts garden tradition. With Cosmos 'Sensation Mixed' for the cottage cutting garden's classic complementary pairing.