Sunflower Floristan seeds - Helianthus annuus

The 'Floristan' sunflower is a tall, ramified variety of Helianthus annuus developed for cut flowers. Its bicolour flowers are formed of numerous petals of very dark red tipped with yellow around a chocolate-brown centre. The well-branched plant, with strong stems, produces numerous flowers per plant. It is an annual plant easy to sow and to grow in the sun, in all types of well-drained soil. Invite it into your ornamental garden and vegetable patch.

Helianthus annuus is the sunflower cultivated for its oil-rich seeds. This large annual plant from the Asteraceae family has been domesticated by humans for a very long time. It is native to the American continent.

The 'Floristan' sunflower is an ornamental cultivar developed by the German botanical house Benary. The plant has an annual life cycle, completing its development—from germination to seed production—in a single season. This variety produces inflorescences in heads of 12 to 15 cm in diameter which display dark brown-red ligules, finely edged with golden yellow turning cream, and an almost black heart. The inflorescences are borne on strong, upright, and ramified stems, reaching 1.20 m in height or even more in very rich soil. The habit is erect, well-balanced, with good wind resistance thanks to a taproot system that ensures anchorage and drought tolerance. Under optimal conditions, flowering begins 11 to 12 weeks after sowing.
The leaves are simple, alternate, sometimes opposite at the base, cordate to ovate in shape, with dentate edges and a rough texture to the touch. They measure between 10 and 20 cm long and display a medium green colour. The stems are slightly pubescent, sometimes striate, hollow, but robust. Flowering extends from July to September or even October depending on conditions. Pollination is very favourable to bees and other pollinators. The fruits in the form of ovoid achenes of 8 to 12 mm, ripen in late summer and attract birds and small mammals.

The 'Floristan' Sunflower is used in borders or in the vegetable garden, in the sun, in any rich and not too dry soil. It is an easy flower to grow, ideal for introducing children to gardening. Although annual, it has a strong presence, appreciated in cottage gardens. You can pair it with the vertical elegance of a Lupin 'The Governor', with its blue spikes, or with the casual appearance of Love-Lies-Bleeding 'Coral Fountain', with its long trailing inflorescences. Also mix it with the silver spikes of Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet', which will surround the display with softness and light.

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

The sunflower in cooking: The buds, petals, and seeds are edible. Add a few petals to a green salad for colour contrast and their nutty flavour. The green buds can be blanched, then tossed in garlic butter. Their flavour is then close to that of a Jerusalem artichoke. The seed kernel can be eaten raw or roasted.

An ecological asset: All summer long, the melliferous flowers of Sunflowers will attract pollinating insects and butterflies to your garden. A great way to improve the ecosystem and promote the production of fruit and vegetables in your vegetable patch. 
The oil-rich seeds are particularly appreciated by birds (Parrots, Tits, Doves, Goldfinches, Siskins, Nuthatches, Finches…). At the end of flowering, harvest them to make some creatures happy during the winter scarcity.