Sunflower Red Sun

Helianthus annuus 'Red Sun' Crimson Sunflower 'Red Sun'

Pure vivid crimson-red petals without a trace of brown or orange, radiating from a near-black disc with an intensity that stops traffic and commands every border it inhabits. Sunflower 'Red Sun' is the cleanest red in the sunflower palette — bold, declarative, energetic, and the natural companion to the moody 'Chocolate' for the most refined sunflower pairing in any cottage garden.

This is the sunflower for gardeners who want pure clean colour rather than the typical sunflower yellow. The distinguishing characteristic of 'Red Sun' is the specific clean quality of its colour: pure vivid crimson-red without a trace of brown or orange. This distinguishes it clearly from other dark sunflower varieties — it's not the warm brown-burgundy of 'Chocolate', not the bicolour red-and-yellow of 'Ring of Fire', but a pure saturated declarative crimson that reads unmistakably red against any background and at any distance across a garden. Half-hardy annual. Branching habit — a single plant produces multiple lateral flowering stems throughout the season, providing a succession of vivid crimson cutting stems from July through September rather than the brief single display of a single-stemmed variety. Height 60–90cm. Multiple flowering heads per plant.

A note on growing

Sow one seed per 7–9cm pot in April at 18–22°C, or direct sow after the last frost in May. Germination 7–10 days. Harden off thoroughly before planting out late May or early June at 45–60cm spacing in full sun. Protect young plants from slugs for the first 2–3 weeks. Water deeply at the base, feed fortnightly from midsummer.

Cut at the right moment: cut when the outer petals are fully unfurled but the disc is still firm. Re-cut at an angle under water and condition overnight in deep water. Vase life 10–14 days. In a mixed arrangement with Sunflower 'Chocolate', the contrast between Chocolate's moody dark velvet and Red Sun's vivid crimson is one of the finest two-variety sunflower combinations available.

Where it shines

In bold warm-palette borders where the vivid crimson reads as the most energetic note in a composition. In cutting gardens for substantial long-stemmed crimson flowers with exceptional vase life. As a high-contrast partner to dark Sunflower 'Chocolate' or pale Sunflower 'Vanilla Ice'. In children's gardens, where the bold red colour and easy growing make every sowing rewarding. In simple massed plantings where a single drift of vivid crimson creates a bold statement.

Plant alongside

The signature Bishy pairing: Sunflower 'Chocolate' for the warm-colour contrast that makes both varieties more interesting than they would be alone. With Rudbeckia 'Autumn Forest' for matching warm mahogany backdrop tones. With tall orange Calendula for the warm orange complement. With deep purple Salvia 'Violet Queen' for the cool complementary contrast against the hot red.