Midnight Rouge Sunflower Seeds For Planting (Helianthus annuus)

Quick Facts

• Helianthus annuus
• Type: Flower
• Color: Red
• Height: 4' to 6' Tall
• Width: 18" Spread
• Season: Annual
• Zones: All
• Environment: Full sun

Description

So named because plants with the word “blood” in their name tend to scare off families with small children, this Helianthus variety really does have a deep, sanguinary hue, with petals that are typically tinged yellow at their bases. The central disc is a deep reddish-brown, often with a freckling of bright yellow near the center, and the large leaves are a lush medium-green.

Grown as annuals in USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11, Midnight Rouge tops out between four and six feet in height, with an 18-inch spread. The flowers themselves bloom from three to six inches in diameter and attract birds and beneficial insects. They work well as background plantings in locations with full sun, or among other compact yellow and gold sunflower varieties for stunning contrast. If you’re planning on growing a row of giant sunflowers, these are great for hiding stalks and filling in the gaps.

Midnight Rouge sunflowers are incredibly easy to grow from seed. They’re hardy and pest-resistant; even deer tend to pass them by. They’ll bloom all summer with consistent care, though they can handle a little neglect. They rarely—if ever—need staking, despite their height. Want to bring some color indoors? These crimson beauties make spectacular, long-lasting cut flowers. You can harvest their seeds for wintertime bird food by drying the center discs and knocking the seeds into a fine mesh bag, or simply hanging the dried seed heads outside for the birds to plunder. 

We think this heirloom sunflower is perhaps the most spectacular of the branching varieties, and we’re pretty sure you will too.