{"product_id":"sunflower-red-sun","title":"Sunflower Red Sun","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHelianthus annuus 'Red Sun'\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCrimson Sunflower 'Red Sun'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003ePure 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis is the sunflower for gardeners who want pure clean colour rather than the typical sunflower yellow. The distinguishing characteristic of 'Red Sun' is the \u003cstrong\u003especific clean quality of its colour\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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. \u003cstrong\u003eBranching habit\u003c\/strong\u003e — 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on growing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eSow one seed per 7–9cm pot in \u003cstrong\u003eApril\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCut at the right moment\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it shines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe signature Bishy pairing: \u003cstrong\u003eSunflower 'Chocolate'\u003c\/strong\u003e for the warm-colour contrast that makes both varieties more interesting than they would be alone. With \u003cstrong\u003eRudbeckia 'Autumn Forest'\u003c\/strong\u003e for matching warm mahogany backdrop tones. With \u003cstrong\u003etall orange Calendula\u003c\/strong\u003e for the warm orange complement. With \u003cstrong\u003edeep purple Salvia 'Violet Queen'\u003c\/strong\u003e for the cool complementary contrast against the hot red.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64766407639389,"sku":"SUN-RED","price":2.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/1185\/5965\/files\/CD3E4153-8FE3-4D9D-BDC0-71F3D995ADD3.jpg?v=1779457650","url":"https:\/\/turfstoreuk.com\/products\/sunflower-red-sun","provider":"Turf Store UK ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}