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Helianthus annuus 'Claret'
sunflower
Exquisite chocolate-brown flowers, with a gorgeous metallic sheen to the bloom, from July to September. The mid-height habit makes these sunflowers...
approx 20 seeds
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Plant description
Exquisite chocolate-brown flowers, with a gorgeous metallic sheen to the bloom, from July to September. The mid-height habit makes these sunflowers ideal for the summer garden. Perfect for the back of a sunny annual, mixed or herbaceous border with moderately-fertile, moist but well-drained soil, Helianthus annuus 'Claret' makes excellent cut-flowers.
The flowers are also edible and are said to taste like artichokes when still in bud. Once opened, the petals have a bittersweet flavour. Winner of an Royal Horticultural Society, Award of Garden Merit for reliability and good performance.
The flowers are also edible and are said to taste like artichokes when still in bud. Once opened, the petals have a bittersweet flavour. Winner of an Royal Horticultural Society, Award of Garden Merit for reliability and good performance.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Helianthus annuus Claret:
Whilst easy to grow, annual sunflowers in exposed situations may require staking or support. Water deeply but infrequently and feed sparingly to avoid prompting leaf growth over flowers. If you wish to harvest the seed, protect the flower head with garden fleece to deter squirrels and birds, or cut the head and dry indoors.
Sowing instructions:
Under glass, start them off in late winter by planting the seeds up to 5cm (2in) deep in deep pots or root trainers filled with good seed compost. When large enough to handle, plant outside in spring after gradually hardening off.
Alternatively, sow directly into a well-prepared seed bed in spring and thin to 30cm (12in) as they grow. If sowing outside, temporarily cover the bed with a net to protect the seeds from birds, and keep an eye out for slugs and snails when the seedlings emerge.
Alternatively, sow directly into a well-prepared seed bed in spring and thin to 30cm (12in) as they grow. If sowing outside, temporarily cover the bed with a net to protect the seeds from birds, and keep an eye out for slugs and snails when the seedlings emerge.
