Helianthus annuus 'Ruby F1' has a dark centre is surrounded by a dense array of rich deep ruby-red petals that form large 15cm (6in) flowers. This professional quality sunflower is a uniflora type that grows to around 150cm (60in) tall. Suitable as a bouquet flower, cut the flowers as soon as all the petals unfurl from the face of the dark, central disc. Cut single-stem, pollenless varieties all the way to the ground as they rarely branch. Sunflowers are very easy to grow and fast to flower, sown directly where they are to grow they can be partnered them with other hardy annuals. Use as a backdrop for shorter plantings, as a temporary hedge or for colour in the vegetable garden. The blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators and the seed heads are loved by birds especially finches. Grow them along with other taller flowers as part of a wildlife friendly garden.