Helianthemum x cultorum ‘Amabile Plenum’ - Red sunflower
The Helianthemum x cultorum ‘Amabile Plenum’, better known as sunflower red, is an enchanting perennial that plays a special role in many gardens. This plant impresses with its bright red, double flowers and its versatility. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the red sunflower and how you can best integrate it into your garden.
Characteristics of the sun rose
The red coneflower belongs to the Cistaceae family and is characterised by its bright red, double flowers, which appear from May to August. The flowers are around three centimetres in diameter and sit close together on the delicate stems. The foliage of the plant is grey-green, slightly hairy and remains attractive even in winter, as the sunflower is evergreen.
This perennial reaches a height of around 10 to 20 centimetres and forms dense cushions that can reach a width of up to 50 centimetres. It is therefore ideal for rock gardens, dry stone walls, as ground cover or for foreground planting in herbaceous borders.
Location and care
Red sunflower prefers a sunny location and well-drained, rather poor soil. It tolerates drought very well and requires little water, making it an easy plant to care for. Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs, as this can lead to root rot.
After flowering, the plant can be pruned slightly to keep it in shape and encourage a second flowering. Fertilisation is not usually necessary, as the sun rose thrives best in nutrient-poor soil.
The ideal planting partners for the Helianthemum
Red helianthemum harmonises perfectly with a wide range of plants and can be used in a variety of garden designs. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), whose purple flowers form a beautiful contrast to the red helianthemum, is particularly suitable. Thyme is also ideal, as both plants prefer similar habitat conditions. While the delicate, blue-purple flowers of perovskia perfectly complement the bright sunflowers.
Use in the garden
Sunflower red is versatile and brings colour and structure to various garden areas. It is ideal for rockeries, as its short height and preference for sunny, dry locations make it ideal for this type of garden. In beds and borders, sunflower can be used as a ground cover to suppress weeds and cover the ground. It can also be used in dry stone walls to bring colour to these often stony areas and add lasting beauty. Sunflower even cuts a fine figure in pots and containers and can be used to decorate terraces and balconies. Helianthemum x cultorum ‘Amabile Plenum’, the red sunflower, is an easy-care and versatile perennial that enriches any garden with its bright flowers. By combining it with suitable planting partners and choosing the right location, you can show off the beauty of this plant to its best advantage.
Our plants are grown in pots and can therefore be planted all year round.
We recommend planting 12 sunflower plants per 1 square metre.
