Sunflower Inca Empire Mix Seeds - Helianthus annuus

Helianthus annuus 'Inca Empire Mix' is a blend of various varieties of decorative sunflowers, carefully chosen for their vibrant colours and long flowering period. Throughout the summer, these flowers with their varied shapes and vibrant colours enhance the garden and enrich bouquets. They are also valuable for pollinating insects. Easy to sow and grow in well-nourished and moist soil, in full sun. This tall annual plant can be sown from March to April, in pots, or directly in the ground between May and June after the last frost.

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 for a long time by humans, has a controversial origin, but it is native to the American continent.

The 'Inca Empire Mix' sunflower blend is composed of several horticultural sunflower varieties reaching a height of 2 to 3 m and a spread of 0.40 to 0.60 m. Flowering begins in July-August and continues until September-October, if you take care to remove faded flowers. The flowers are in heads measuring 12 to 20 cm in diameter. Under optimal conditions, it takes about 8 weeks from sowing to the start of flowering. The flower stalks are strong and well-branched. The foliage consists of dark green, simple, cordate (heart-shaped), toothed leaves, alternately arranged, sometimes opposite at the base. They are attached to the stem by a petiole and have a rough texture.

Its ease of cultivation and large, easy-to-germinate seeds are very popular with children who are getting started in gardening. The 'Inca Empire Mix' sunflowers are particularly suitable for ornamental seasonal beds, but also for decorating the vegetable garden where they attract many beneficial animals. They only require sunlight and soil that is not too dry to thrive effortlessly. They have a rustic appearance and as such, they blend well in slightly wild areas of the garden, alongside cosmos, sainfoin, perennial sweet peas, scabiosa, gaillardia, and more.

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

To enjoy your cut sunflowers for longer, follow these tips: Cut the flowers in the morning just after they have opened. Use a clean knife. 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.

An ecological asset: Throughout the summer, the nectar-rich flowers of sunflowers attract pollinating insects and butterflies to your garden. A good way to improve the ecosystem and promote fruit and vegetable production in your vegetable garden.