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A Large Moulin Rouge Sunflower

Moulin Rouge Sunflower Seeds - Helianthus

£2.25Price
Garden Showstopper: Moulin Rouge Sunflower Seeds - Helianthus is more than just a garden plant; it's a botanical masterpiece that will captivate your garden with its dazzling crimson-red colours. This showstopping variety is not only a feast for the eyes but also a Wildlife Magnet: Besides its visual appeal, this sunflower variety attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden's biodiversity. As an added benefit, it’s featured on the RHS plants for pollinator list. By planting these seeds from Bee Kind Botanicals, you contribute to growing diversity, one seed at a time.
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  • Information & Growing Guide

    Moulin Rouge Sunflower Seeds – Deep Red Blooms for Wildlife-Friendly UK Gardens

    Add striking colour and biodiversity to your garden with Moulin Rouge Sunflower Seeds – a premium ornamental variety known for its bold, velvety-red petals and strong pollinator appeal. With their deep crimson blooms and multi-branching growth habit, Moulin Rouge sunflowers are not only showstoppers in borders and flower beds but also champions of UK wildlife conservation.

    Key Features

    • Rich red to burgundy flowers with dark centres
    • Branching variety producing multiple blooms per plant
    • Height: 1.5–2m – ideal for back borders
    • Excellent for cut flowers, arrangements, and garden displays
    • Pollen-light but still listed by the RHS Plants for Pollinators – perfect for attracting beneficial insects
    • UK-grown and easy to cultivate with the right care

    Wildlife-Friendly & RHS Approved:

    Though Moulin Rouge is a pollen-light sunflower, its structure and nectar still offer vital support to pollinators. Included in the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, this variety helps sustain:

    • Bees – especially bumblebees and solitary bees
    • Hoverflies – essential for natural pest control
    • Butterflies and moths – drawn to the blooms’ colour and nectar
    • Birds – especially finches and tits, which feed on the mature seeds in late summer and autumn

    Leaving flower heads to dry naturally not only creates architectural interest but also provides food through the colder months.

    Origin & Breeding History

    The Moulin Rouge sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Moulin Rouge') was bred through selective crossbreeding in the early 2000s to produce one of the first truly red sunflowers. Developed by American plant breeders, it was designed to retain the classic height and form of wild sunflowers while introducing a luxurious dark-red pigment. Named after the famed Parisian cabaret, it’s as dramatic in gardens as its namesake is on stage.

    How to Grow Moulin Rouge Sunflowers in the UK

    Sow: March to May
    Flower: July to September
    Site: Full sun, sheltered from strong winds
    Soil: Free-draining, fertile soil with neutral to slightly alkaline pH
    Height: Up to 2m
    Spacing: 30–45cm between plants

    Germination Instructions (UK-Specific)

    For strong, healthy plants and the best flowering display, careful germination is essential. Moulin Rouge sunflower seeds have a hard outer shell and benefit from these enhanced steps:

    Pre-Sowing Preparation

    • Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 2–4 hours before sowing. This softens the seed coat and helps speed up germination.
    • Use clean, peat-free seed compost and sow seeds 1.5–2cm deep.

    Indoor Sowing (March–April) – Recommended for UK Gardens

    • Start seeds in trays or 9cm pots 3–4 weeks before the last frost.
    • Keep at a steady 18–21°C in a greenhouse, propagator, or bright windowsill.
    • Germination takes 7–14 days.
    • Water sparingly – compost should stay moist, not wet.

    Hardening Off & Planting Out

    • Once all frost danger has passed (typically mid-late May), harden off seedlings gradually.
    • Plant in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-prepared soil.
    • Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

    Direct Sowing (Late April–May)

    • Sow seeds directly into finely raked soil once temperatures exceed 10°C.
    • Cover lightly and water gently.
    • Protect young shoots from slugs and snails.

    Aftercare Tips

    • Stake tall plants in exposed areas to prevent wind damage.
    • Deadhead to encourage continued blooming.
    • Leave some flower heads to go to seed – perfect for bird feeding and reseeding.
    • Water regularly in dry spells, especially when plants are establishing and during flowering.

    Ideal For

    • Wildlife gardens
    • Cut flower borders
    • Cottage-style plantings
    • Schools and community projects
    • Pollinator-friendly garden designs

    Sustainability Note

    Moulin Rouge sunflowers are non-GMO and safe for organic gardens. Their bold colour helps create natural biodiversity corridors and supports UK garden ecosystems with minimal maintenance.

    Elevate your garden with the bold beauty of Moulin Rouge sunflowers – a stunning, pollinator-friendly favourite that thrives in UK gardens with the right start. Order now and grow something extraordinary this season.

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