The garden's dark star

'Velvet Queen' is a statuesque beauty

- Ruth Hayes

Sunflower Velvet Queen' is a dark, burnished mahogany that will look striking in the summer garden

THE traditional image of a sunflower is a towering stem with a flower of golden rays, often dinner plate-sized, but this week we are giving you the chance to try something different.

Sunflowers come in a variety of shades, from bright yellow to burnished bronze, and Velvet Queen' is the darkest of the lot, with mahogany-red petals and a heart that is darker still.

Plants will attract butterflies and bees in summer, while wild birds will eat the ripe and fallen seeds in autumn.

Plant them in a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile soil and they will grow to a stately 6ft (1.8m). They also do well in light shade and the flowers last well in a vase after cutting.

Sow two seeds per pot of compost