Crop type: Squashes

Cucurbita pepo ‘Sunburst’ AGM

Common name: Squash ‘Sunburst’

Crop slug: squash

This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile and its linked crop guidance. Check the sources and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.

RHS cultivar profile

1 - Overview

‘Sunburst’ is a summer patty-pan squash with bright-yellow glossy skin and tender flesh with a nutty flavour. Its fruits have the distinctive flattened, scallop-edged disc shape associated with patty pans. Picked young, they offer a buttery, melting texture; the profile specifically suggests steaming to retain that quality.

The plant forms a compact clump rather than a long trailing vine and is suitable for patio containers as well as open ground. It carries the RHS Award of Garden Merit and is listed as a Plants for Pollinators cultivar, supporting bees and other pollinating insects through its cucurbit flowers.

2 - Size

Ultimate height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Ultimate spread: 1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate size: 1 year
Habit: Clump-forming

Although low-growing, the broad clump still needs a useful area around its crown. One plant can occupy a large container if it receives sun, regular water and room for airflow.

3 - Growing conditions

Suitable soils: Loam or sand
Moisture: Well drained, or moist but well drained
Soil pH: Neutral or acid

Grow in rich, fertile, freely draining soil. Incorporate mature organic matter before planting and maintain moisture as the plant flowers and fruits, without saturating the crown.

4 - Position and hardiness

Light: Full sun
Aspect: South- or west-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness: H2 — tolerant of low temperatures but not surviving being frozen

This tender summer crop needs warmth and shelter. Harden indoor-raised plants before transplanting and wait until frost danger has passed. Consistent sun encourages rapid fruit production and glossy yellow skins.

5 - Colour and seasonal interest

Season	Foliage	Fruit
Spring	Green	—
Summer	Green	Bright yellow
Autumn	Green	Bright yellow
Winter	—	—

Glossy yellow scalloped fruits are the defining feature. Green palmately lobed foliage frames the crop, while golden cucurbit flowers provide seasonal pollinator value.

6 - Botanical details

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native to Great Britain and Ireland: No
Lifecycle: Annual or biennial
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump-forming
Name status: Accepted
Award: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Wildlife value: RHS Plants for Pollinators

Genus

Cucurbita is a small genus of climbing or trailing annual herbs native to Central and South America. Edible species usually bear solitary golden-yellow star-shaped flowers and palmately lobed leaves with fine prickly hairs.

Safety

Do not eat fruit if its flesh tastes bitter, and do not feed bitter crop material to pets. Wear gloves or suitable protection when handling prickly growth if needed.

7 - How to grow

Cultivation

Start indoors from April, sowing one seed on its side about 1.5cm deep in each individual pot. Harden plants off before transplanting them to rich, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. The exact profile also allows direct sowing from April to July when air temperature is above 18°C.

Follow the parent guide for bush spacing, containers, watering and high-potassium feeding. Pick the patty-pan fruits regularly while they are small, glossy and tender so the plant continues producing.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Individual pots minimise root disturbance; direct sowing is suitable only when conditions are reliably warm.

Suggested locations

Patio or large container
Allotment or kitchen garden
Wildlife garden
Sunny edible border

Pruning

No pruning is required. Remove only damaged or decaying material and harvest fruits frequently.

Pests

Snails and slugs may damage seedlings and young foliage. Protect plants during establishment and inspect beneath the broad leaves.

Diseases

Grey mould and powdery mildew may occur. Give the clump room for airflow, water at soil level and remove decaying flowers or damaged tissue promptly.