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Annual Biennial

Cucurbita pepo 'Sunburst'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

squash 'Sunburst'

A beautiful patty pan Summer squash variety with a bright yellow, glossy skin and tender, nutty flavour flesh. When cooking, steam to retain the buttery, melt in the mouth texture

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Yellow
Autumn Green Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

A small genus of climbing or trailing, annual herbaceous fruits. Several edible species are cultivated for food and other uses. Native to Central and South America. Solitary, star-shaped flowers are usually golden-yellow. Leaves are palmately lobed, covered with tiny, prickly hairs

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in rich, fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Start indoors from April, sowing in individual pots with seeds on their side about 1.5cm deep. Harden off before transplanting outdoors to final growing position. Or sow direct April to July when the air temperature is above 18C. See cucurbit cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to snails and slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews

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