{"product_id":"sunflower-vanilla-ice","title":"Sunflower Vanilla Ice","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHelianthus annuus 'Vanilla Ice'\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCream Sunflower 'Vanilla Ice'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eSoft pale creamy-vanilla petals around a dark chocolate disc — Sunflower 'Vanilla Ice' is the quiet elegant alternative to brash golden sunflowers, a luminous garden presence that makes every bold flower around it look more vivid, more saturated, and more alive by contrast. The luminous cottage sunflower for sophisticated planting schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIf you've ever wished sunflowers came in colours other than the standard bright yellow, 'Vanilla Ice' is the variety that genuinely delivers. The petals are a soft pale creamy-vanilla — not white, not yellow, but a warm-tinted cream that catches summer light beautifully and \u003cstrong\u003eglows in low evening light\u003c\/strong\u003e in a way that conventional sunflowers simply can't. The pale petals surround the characteristic dark chocolate disc, providing the high-contrast colour combination (cream against deep brown) that makes 'Vanilla Ice' read as designer-quality cottage rather than traditional summer sunflower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe garden role of 'Vanilla Ice' is specific and valuable: as a \u003cstrong\u003eluminous bridge colour\u003c\/strong\u003e in any cottage scheme, the cream tone provides a neutral that ties warm tones (oranges, reds, browns) together with cool tones (whites, blues, lavenders) without competing with either. In a planting alongside vivid colours, the pale cream serves as visual rest; in a planting of pure pale colours, the cream provides warmth and substance. Half-hardy annual. Branching multi-headed habit. Height 60–90cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on growing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eSow one seed per 7–9cm pot in \u003cstrong\u003eApril\u003c\/strong\u003e at 18–22°C, or direct sow after the last frost in May. Germination 7–10 days. Harden off and plant out late May or early June at 45–60cm spacing in full sun. Slug protection for the first 2–3 weeks. Water deeply at the base, feed fortnightly through midsummer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it shines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eAs the \u003cstrong\u003eluminous bridge\u003c\/strong\u003e in any mixed cottage planting — the cream colour ties warm and cool tones together without competing with either. In moon gardens, where the pale petals genuinely glow in evening light. In sophisticated cottage borders that lean modern or designer. In cottage cutting gardens for the rare cream-and-chocolate sunflower combination that distinguishes home-cut bouquets from commercial flowers. As an outstanding partner for the dark Sunflower 'Chocolate' — the cream and the chocolate together create the highest-contrast sunflower combination possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eFor maximum contrast cottage drama, pair 'Vanilla Ice' with \u003cstrong\u003eSunflower 'Chocolate'\u003c\/strong\u003e — the cream and the near-black creating the highest visual contrast in the sunflower range. With \u003cstrong\u003eSunflower 'Ring of Fire'\u003c\/strong\u003e for warm bicolour partnership. With \u003cstrong\u003eCosmos 'Purity'\u003c\/strong\u003e for matching white-cream cool romantic cottage scheme. With \u003cstrong\u003eNicotiana 'White Trumpets'\u003c\/strong\u003e for moon-garden tall-and-luminous evening display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56878762754425,"sku":"SUN-VAN","price":2.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0576\/6004\/7547\/files\/1E11D9A0-0BA9-4243-87F4-8A99BD30460F.jpg?v=1774015600","url":"https:\/\/www.bishybarnabeescottagegarden.com\/products\/sunflower-vanilla-ice","provider":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}