Helianthus annuus Ring of Fire | Sunflower

A spectacular bicolour sunflower with golden-yellow petal tips surrounding a rich reddish-brown ring – a tall, heavily branching variety producing multiple long stems ideal for cutting.

Helianthus annuus 'Ring of Fire' is an eye-catching branching sunflower valued for its dramatic two-tone flowers, long side shoots and excellent performance as a cut flower.

Each bloom features golden-yellow petal tips that transition into a distinctive deep reddish-brown ring surrounding the dark centre. The warm combination of gold, rust and mahogany creates an exceptional late-summer colour palette and makes Ring of Fire particularly beautiful in natural, garden-style bouquets.

Plants grow to approximately 135 cm tall and develop a strongly branching habit with numerous long side shoots. Unlike single-stem sunflowers, a single Ring of Fire plant can produce multiple harvestable flowers throughout the season.

Flowers reach approximately 12 cm in diameter – a particularly useful size for bouquets and floral arrangements.

Why Choose Ring of Fire?

• Striking two-tone flowers
• Golden-yellow petal tips
• Rich reddish-brown ring around the centre
• Warm, sophisticated late-summer colouring
• Heavily branching growth habit
• Produces multiple flowers per plant
• Long side stems excellent for cutting
• Approx. 12 cm flowers – ideal for bouquets
• Tall plants reaching approximately 135 cm
• Excellent for cut flower production
• Beautiful in borders and landscape plantings
• Excellent choice for natural and autumn-inspired floral designs

Plant Information

• Botanical name: Helianthus annuus
• Common name: Sunflower
• Variety: Ring of Fire
• Flower colour: Golden yellow with reddish-brown / mahogany ring
• Flower size: Up to approx. 12 cm
• Plant height: Approx. 135 cm
• Growth habit: Tall, heavily branching
• Life cycle: Annual
• Crop time: Approx. 70–84 days (10–12 weeks)
• Exposure: Full sun
• Seed form: Raw seed
• Uses: Cut flowers, bouquets, borders, flower beds and landscape planting

Sowing

Direct Sowing

Direct sowing is recommended. Sow outdoors after the last frost once the soil has warmed.

Sow approximately 1–1.5 cm deep in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position.

Under suitable conditions, germination can begin in approximately 5 days at 18–24°C.

For continuous flower production, sow new batches at intervals throughout spring and early summer.

Starting Indoors

For an earlier crop, Ring of Fire can also be started indoors.

Sow 1 seed per cell or small pot and keep at approximately 18–24°C during germination.

Transplant while plants are still young, ideally around the two true-leaf stage. Sunflowers develop quickly and do not appreciate prolonged root restriction.

Plant outside only after the danger of frost has passed.

Growing & Care

Ring of Fire performs best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.

Regular watering is important, particularly during establishment and active stem and flower development. Avoid allowing plants to become severely dry.

For high-quality cut flower stems, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation. Too much nitrogen can encourage overly vigorous foliage at the expense of flower and stem quality.

Because Ring of Fire is a tall and heavily branching variety, allow sufficient space and good air circulation between plants.

In exposed locations, support may be beneficial as plants become tall and carry multiple flowering stems.

Pinching

Because Ring of Fire naturally branches strongly, pinching can be used when an even bushier plant and a larger number of cutting stems are desired.

Pinching the central growing tip while plants are young encourages the development of additional side shoots.

For cut flower production, this can result in more usable stems from each plant, although flowering may be slightly delayed compared with unpinched plants.

Succession Sowing

For a longer harvest period, sow Ring of Fire in successive batches approximately every 2–3 weeks during the suitable sowing season.

This is especially useful for flower farms and cutting gardens where a continuous supply of fresh sunflower stems is required.

Harvesting for Cut Flowers

Harvest when the petals are beginning to open and the characteristic yellow and reddish-brown colouring is clearly visible.

For the best vase performance, cut during the cooler part of the day and place stems immediately into clean water.

As the plant is heavily branching, continue harvesting regularly to make use of the developing side shoots.

Perfect For

• Professional cut flower production
• Flower farms
• Cutting gardens
• Summer and late-summer bouquets
• Autumn-inspired floral arrangements
• Garden-style floristry
• Borders and flower beds
• Naturalistic planting
• Landscape planting

Helianthus annuus 'Ring of Fire' is an exceptional sunflower for growers looking for something beyond the traditional yellow sunflower. Its golden-yellow and reddish-brown bicolour flowers, long cutting stems and highly productive branching habit make it an outstanding variety for both professional flower production and ornamental gardens.