Sunflower Autumn Beauty Mix Seeds - Helianthus annuus

Helianthus annuus 'Autumn Beauty Mix' brings together particularly decorative and ornamental varieties of sunflowers. Carefully selected for their vigour, these varieties are known for their upright habit and numerous branches, as well as their flowering in vibrant autumnal shades. They are very prolific, each plant can produce 20 or more flowers at the same time. From summer to autumn, these flowers offer a diverse palette of warm colours, ranging from gold to dark red, solid or bicoloured, in a multitude of combinations. They are tall annual plants ideal for enhancing flower beds and bouquets. For maximum visual impact, grow them in groups.

Helianthus annuus is the famous sunflower cultivated on a large scale for the oil extracted from its seeds. This tall 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 ‘Autumn Beauty’ variety forms an upright and branched plant, reaching between 1.60 and 2 m in height and 0.40 to 0.60 m in width. Flowering usually begins around mid-July and can continue until October. The inflorescences in heads measure between 12 and 16 cm in diameter, composed of a corolla of petals or ligules in shades ranging from red to gold, with hints of brown and bronze, surrounding an almost black central disc. Under the best conditions, it takes 12 to 14 weeks from sowing to the start of flowering. The flower stems are rigid and sturdy, with numerous branches. The foliage consists of dark green, simple, cordate (heart-shaped), toothed, alternate leaves, sometimes opposite at the base. They are attached to the stem by a long or short petiole and have a rough texture.

The ‘Autumn Beauty’ sunflower is particularly suitable for ornamental purposes in large flower beds and borders. It is also ideal for enhancing the vegetable garden and is very useful for the garden's ecological balance, attracting beneficial fauna. In the chicken coop, it becomes a valuable ally for hens, offering an interesting supplement to their diet and diversifying their environment. In cultivation, it only requires sunlight and moderately moist soil to thrive effortlessly. It is a countryside-looking plant and, as such, it blends well in slightly wild areas of the garden, alongside cosmos, sainfoin, perennial sweet peas, scabious, blanket flowers, lupins …

Before flowering, the plant optimizes its growth by following the sun's path. This phenomenon called heliotropism has given rise to some of its common names: Heliotrope, Sunflower, Sunflower, Garden Sun...

To enjoy your cut sunflowers for longer, follow these tips:

• Cut the flowers in the morning just after they have opened. 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.

Sunflower in the kitchen: The buds, petals, and seeds are edible. Add a few petals to a green salad for colour contrast and a nutty flavour. The green buds can be blanched, then sautéed in garlic butter. Their flavour is similar to that of Jerusalem artichokes. The flesh of the seed can be eaten raw or roasted.

An ecological asset: Throughout the summer, the melliferous flowers of sunflowers attract pollinating insects and butterflies to your garden. A good way to improve the ecosystem and promote the production of fruits and vegetables in your vegetable garden. The oil-rich seeds are particularly appreciated by birds (parrots, tits, doves, goldfinches, siskins, nuthatches, finches, etc.). At the end of flowering, harvest them to make some creatures happy during the winter scarcity.