The Royal Velvet Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ) is a hybrid variety that has dark rusty-red coloured petals with yellow tips and a dark, almost blackish centre. They are perfect as a long-lasting cut flower and have been bred for this particular purpose. The main flower head averages around 15 cm in diameter and has a strong tall stem.
Royal Velvet Sunflower are a first-generation breed (F1) and its flowers are pollenless. Pollenless flowers are bred this way on purpose to avoid pollen staining on clothes etc. as indoor cut flower. Although nectar is still present and will attract nectar loving insects or birds, pollenless flowers will not produce seed unless pollen bearing Sunflowers are planted nearby. The seed, however, will not be the same variety but a cross breed of the two types. It is always exciting to see what will be produced the following year (or later in the season) from crossbred seeds!
Growth
The main stem of the Royal Velvet Sunflower grows to approximately 1.2-1.5 metres tall and have a single flower, whose head will grow to around 15 cm (6 inches) in size. Lower branches will produce smaller flowers that give the plant a fuller appearance. Harvest as a cut flower as the flower heads are beginning to open and they will last around 2 weeks in a vase. Flowering occurs from seed at around 60-70 days.
Sunflowers prefer a full sun location and are best planted in a position where they don’t steal sunlight from other species. If your climate has very hot summers, they will tolerate some afternoon shade but require at least hours of direct sunshine. Royal Velvet Sunflowers can be planted as close as 30 cm apart, unlike many common sunflowers that require distancing of up to 60 cm.
Suitable for cold to tropical climates when grown at the right time of year.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Asteraceae
CLIMATE:
Cold – Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5°C to 35°C / 41 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining soil types, drought tolerant. Soil too high in nitrogen although may encourage good stem growth, can cause warped & unusual flower shape.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
1.2 – 1.5 metres (4-5 feet)
WIDTH:
Approximately 30 cm (1 foot)
pH:
5.5-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual, fast growing.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Pollenless. Pollinated by insects only if a pollen bearing variety is nearby.
MATURITY:
60-70 days.
GERMINATION RATES:
78-92%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-4 weeks
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 12
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Storage at 4°C (Fridge) or -18°C (Freezer) 1-2 years in airtight container or bag.
FACTS ABOUT HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (Sunflowers)
Roasted Sunflower seeds are a popular snack and readily available at supermarkets. The seeds are very attractive to birds and commonly added to commercial bird seed for parrots. But did you know that all parts of Sunflowers are edible?
The oil from Sunflowers has been used in cooking since the 16th century and there is evidence that the species originated from Mexico as far back as 2600BC!
The Sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, the state flower of Kansas, US.
