Rouge Royale Sunflower is a stunning cultivar of Helianthus annuus that commands attention with its deep burgundy petals and commanding presence in any garden. Growing 4 to 6 feet tall, this variety thrives across hardiness zones 2 through 11, making it accessible to gardeners nearly everywhere. Sow seeds directly outdoors one to two weeks after your last frost, or start them indoors in biodegradable pots four to six weeks before that date, and you'll have blooms that capture the richness of deep wine tones from midsummer forward.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
72in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The deep burgundy coloring of Rouge Royale sets it apart from typical golden sunflowers, offering a sophisticated alternative for cutting gardens and landscape drama. Its substantial 4 to 6-foot height makes it a natural focal point, and it performs reliably across a broad climate range. The variety's preference for full sun and moderate water means it thrives in well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, asking little beyond what most gardeners can provide.
Rouge Royale Sunflower is primarily grown as an ornamental flower for cut arrangements and garden display, where its deep burgundy color adds richness and drama to bouquets and landscape beds. The tall, sturdy stems and large flower heads make it especially suited to cutting gardens and as a back-border focal point.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors two to four weeks before your average last frost date in biodegradable pots, which can be planted directly into the ground to avoid disturbing sensitive roots. Sow seeds at a depth of one-quarter to one-half inch and maintain soil temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination.
Transplant seedlings outdoors two to four weeks before your average last frost date, or wait until all danger of frost has passed. Plant the biodegradable pots directly into the soil to minimize root disturbance, spacing plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
Sow seeds directly outdoors one to two weeks after your average last frost date, placing them one-quarter to one-half inch deep in prepared soil. Direct sowing is recommended for this variety.
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