Helianthus delibes 'Vanilla Ice' – Elegant creamy white sunflower for borders and cut flowers

Helianthus delibes 'Vanilla Ice' is a remarkable annual sunflower that enhances gardens, borders, and cutting gardens with its large, soft, creamy-white flowers and dark center. This variety stands out for its strong, straight stems, graceful appearance, and abundant blooms, making it ideal for cut flowers, ornamental plantings, and cutting gardens.

'Vanilla Ice' is ideal for gardeners, hobby growers, and florists who want an easy-care, elegant sunflower that offers both ornamental value and ecological benefits.

Characteristics of Helianthus delibes 'Vanilla Ice'

Key Features:

• Creamy white flowers with a dark heart – soft and elegant, perfect for borders and bouquets

• Strong, tall stems – suitable for long-lasting vase life and cut flower production

• Rich flowering – multiple flowers per plant for a full and graceful appearance

• Pollen-rich flowers – attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators

• Robust structure – resistant to wind and rain

• Fast growing annual – easy to grow for beginners and experienced gardeners alike

These properties make 'Vanilla Ice' an excellent choice for both ornamental and cut flower cultivation.

Uses and applications

Helianthus delibes 'Vanilla Ice' can be used in several ways:

• Cut flowers – large, elegant flowers and sturdy stems make the plant ideal for bouquets and flower arrangements

• Borders and flowerbeds – adds height and a soft, elegant splash of colour to summer borders

• Pick-a-Pick Gardens – perfect for hobby gardeners who want to harvest long-lasting, decorative flowers

• Bee-friendly gardens – flowers attract pollinators and support biodiversity

Its creamy white colour makes 'Vanilla Ice' ideal for combining with other sunflowers in yellow, orange or red, asters, lavender or cosmos, for a harmonious and layered garden look.

Growth habit and care

Helianthus delibes 'Vanilla Ice' is a sun-loving annual that grows best in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. It develops sturdy stems and large flower heads and requires regular watering during dry spells.

Care tips

• Sow indoors before the last frost or directly outdoors after the last frost

• Planting distance: approximately 60 cm for optimal air circulation and sturdy stems

• Support may be necessary in windy locations due to the height

• Regular watering and fertilizing promotes healthy growth and long-lasting flowering

• Remove wilted flowers to encourage new blooms

With proper care, 'Vanilla Ice' provides long-lasting blooms from mid-summer to early autumn.

Features at a glance

• Latin name: Helianthus delibes 'Vanilla Ice'

• Type: Annual sunflower

• Color: Creamy white with dark heart

• Flower shape: Large daisy-like flower

• Plant structure: Tall, sturdy stems

• Flowering: Summer to early autumn

• Location: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, nutritious

• Application: Cut flowers, borders, cutting gardens, bee-friendly gardens

• Ecological: Pollen-rich flowers, attractive to pollinators

Why choose Helianthus delibes 'Vanilla Ice'?

• Large, creamy white flowers for an elegant look

• Sturdy, tall stems suitable for cut flowers

• Richly flowering with multiple flowers per plant

• Pollen-rich flowers attract bees and other pollinators

• Versatile applications in borders, cutting gardens and cut flower production

Helianthus delibes 'Vanilla Ice' is an excellent choice for gardeners and florists who want to harvest and use elegant, bee-friendly sunflowers.