Red Species of Sunflowers

Solid Red

• Solid red sunflowers typically feature dark, brownish red or maroon petals. The 4-inch blooms of the Moulin Rouge sunflower, which grows to a height of 7 feet, features deep red petals with a striking black stigma. As its name implies, the dark red petals of the Velvet Queen have a soft, fuzzy texture. The crimson petals of the Cinnamon Sun are similar in size to those of the Velvet Queen, growing about 5 to 6 inches long.

Mixed

• A reflection of its inconsistent height, the petals of the Autumn Beauty comes in a mix of orange and red tones. Similarly, the long-stemmed Red Sun features blended streaks of red, yellow and orange. While its petals are mostly yellow, the dwarf Ring of Fire sunflower sports a ruddy red ring around its brown stigma. The Joker and Gloriosa species feature a similar red hue that extends out to the yellow tips of their petals. The Music Box sunflower, a bush-type annual, features mostly yellow flowers with reddish orange streaks.

Artificial Coloring

• Some garden suppliers and florists offer red tinted sunflowers — Helianthus annus plants with stem-dyed or tinted petals. Compared to their natural cousins, the petals of these flowers generally sport a more even distribution of color. These flowers are made for strictly ornamental or cosmetic purposes; if the seeds are replanted, the petals of the new plants do not grow in shades of red.

Care

• Like the basic Helianthus annus, species of red sunflowers are low maintenance plants. These warm-hued buds grow best when planted in the spring season, just after winter's final frost. Red sunflowers tolerate most types of soil, but prefer nutrient-rich soil. Once planted, hardy sunflowers thrive in direct sunlight, requiring about an inch of water per week and very little special attention or care.