Sunflower Lilac Monarch
Helianthus annuus
Packet: 10 seeds
Pollen-free hybrid, untreated seed
Please note - the colour is subtle and varies: The 'lilac' here is a soft, muted tint, not a strong purple. The petals are mainly lemon to cream with a lilac ring or blush around a dark centre, and how much of that tint shows varies from plant to plant and with your growing conditions, with cooler weather tending to bring it out more. Expect a range from near-lemon through to soft dusky lilac within a single packet, which is completely normal for these bred colour types.
Lilac Monarch is a tall, single-stem sunflower of around 1.1 to 1.3m, each plant carrying one large, well-formed bloom of lemon petals brushed with a lilac ring around a dark centre. The soft, two-tone colouring makes it a standout cut flower for something a little different from classic gold, and being pollen-free it cuts cleanly and lasts well indoors.
Sowing
Sow seeds direct about 15 to 20mm deep once the soil has warmed above 15°C, or raise in pots and plant out before the roots wind around. Germination takes 7 to 14 days. Space plants about 30 to 45cm apart.
When to Sow - Australian Climate Zones
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Cool & Mountain: October to December
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Temperate: September to January
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Subtropical: August to February
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Tropical: April to August (dry season)
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Arid & Semi-arid: September to December
Care
Grow in full sun in free draining soil. As a tall single-stem type, stake the plants in an exposed spot so a storm cannot lay them over. Water deeply while they grow away, then ease off once established, and feed fortnightly with a seaweed solution. The lilac tint often deepens in cooler weather.
Harvest
Expect the bloom from about 62 to 70 days. For the vase, cut the stem just as the petals lift away from the centre, early in the morning. Being single-stemmed, each plant gives one main flower, so stagger your sowings for a longer run.
