Create Your Garden

Helianthus annuus ‘Claret’ (Common Sunflower)

Common Sunflower 'Claret', Comb Flower 'Claret', Golden Flower of Peru 'Claret', St Bartholomew's Star 'Claret'

AGM Award
Helianthus annuus Claret, Common Sunflower Claret, Comb Flower Claret, Golden Flower of Peru Claret, St Bartholomew's Star Claret, Dark Flowers, Red Perennials, Red Sunflowers

Noted for its reliability and good garden performance, Helianthus annuus ‘Claret’ (Common Sunflower) is a fast-growing, well-branched annual with broad, oval to heart-shaped, roughly hairy leaves. In summer, it produces large, rich wine-red flowers, up to 6 in. across (15 cm), with deep red-brown petals surrounding a nearly black central disk. The flower heads are attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. The seeds harvested from grown plants are edible and can be used in snacks and in baking. Easy to grow and sensational at the back of a sunny border, this exquisite Sunflower makes outstanding cut flowers too.

  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities
  • Typically grows up to 5-6 ft. tall (150-180 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). May need support
  • Prefers full sun and enjoys moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to alkaline, well-drained soils. Site in a sheltered location, as the wind may catch the heavy heads.
  • Low maintenance, this is an excellent choice for the back of perennial borders where the dazzling flowers are welcomed in any color scheme. Perfectly suited to the cutting garden, or cottage gardens.
  • Attractive to bird, butterflies and bees, it is deer resistant.

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Sunflowers


Cherished for their beauty, Sunflowers (Helianthus) are striking ornamental annuals or perennial plants grown for their colorful summer and fall blooms. Fast-growing, they can reward you with glamorous blooms between 55 and 100 days after planting. Here are some basic rules that need to be followed to enjoy their splendid flowers.

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Helianthus
Common names Common Sunflower, Sunflower
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral, Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Helianthus (Sunflower)
Not sure which Helianthus (Sunflower) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Helianthus annuus ProCut® White Nite (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ProCut® Red (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ‘Sunrich Summer Provence’ (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ‘Sunrich Gold’ (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ‘Sunny Smile’ (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ‘Velvet Queen’ (Common Sunflower)

Recommended Companion Plants

Pennisetum orientale (Oriental Fountain Grass)
Anthemis tinctoria ‘E.C. Buxton’ (Golden Marguerite)
Eryngium planum ‘Blue Glitter’ (Flat Sea Holly)
Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

How to Choose the Perfect Sunflower for Your garden and Pots
10 Reasons Why You Should Grow Sunflowers in Your Garden
Companion Planting With Annuals
Edible Flowers: 16 Varieties to Beautify Your Garden and Plate
Best Annual Flowers For Your Vegetable Garden
Best Annual Flowers and Plants for Full Sun
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Sunflowers
39 Most Beautiful Sunflower Types for Your Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Helianthus
Common names Common Sunflower, Sunflower
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral, Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Helianthus (Sunflower)
Not sure which Helianthus (Sunflower) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Helianthus annuus ‘Claret’ (Common Sunflower) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Helianthus annuus ‘Claret’ (Common Sunflower) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone