Helianthus annuus 'Pradera' F1

Helianthus annuus 'Pradera' F1 Gold, or Garden Sunflower, is a variety with a very dark, almost black, heart. It is an annual plant with rapid growth, its strong branching stems reaching up to 1.10m (4ft). This variety offers a long flowering period with 12 to 14 stems per plant. It is therefore ideal for meadows compared to single-stem varieties. Very attractive to bees, its flowers are extraordinarily appealing.

 Helianthus annuus is none other than the famous sunflower cultivated on a large scale for the oil extracted from its seeds. This large annual plant from the Asteraceae family, domesticated by humans for a long time, has a controversial origin, but it is native to the American continent. The flowers of 'Pradera' F1 Gold resemble giant daisies, measuring 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in diameter. Their central disc, very large, is particularly dark, almost black. It is surrounded by a double row of golden yellow petals. The plant is highly branched, with a flower at each end that does not bend as easily as in other varieties. The branches are long enough to be picked independently and used to create magnificent summer bouquets. This beautiful flowering spreads from July to October. However, we recommend staggered sowing to enjoy beautiful and young flowers regularly.

To enjoy your Sunflower bouquets for longer, follow these few tips:

Cut the flowers in the morning just after they open. Use a knife that has been thoroughly cleaned beforehand. Remove the leaves from the bottom, leaving only 2 or 3 leaves below the flower. Change the water in the vase with fresh water every day.

In the garden, sow 'Pradera' F1 Gold in the back of the flower bed, where it will majestically dominate the other flowers. 3 plants per m2 are sufficient.

Until flowering, the plant optimizes its growth by following the course of the sun. This phenomenon, called heliotropism, has given rise to some of its common names: Heliotope, Sunflower, Sunflower, Garden Sunflower...

Ecologically speaking:
The nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies and pollinating insects to your garden. The oil-rich seeds are particularly appreciated by birds (Parrots, Tits, etc.). At the end of flowering, harvest them to make some happy during the winter scarcity.