Chocolate Sunflower Plants

Chocolate Sunflower

• The petals of the chocolate sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'chocolat') are a rich burgundy-brown on the front and yellow-tinged on the back. This dwarf cultivar, just 2 to 3 feet tall, fits neatly in a small space and doesn't need to be relegated to the back of the border. The plant produces an abundance of 5-inch blooms on multiple branches. The chocolate sunflower tolerates partial shade well and is suitable for container or patio gardens. Sow seeds 2 inches deep, 18 inches apart after threat of frost has passed. Seeds germinate in one to three weeks and bloom in 60 days.

Chocolate Cherry Sunflower

• The chocolate cherry sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Chocolate Cherry') boasts velvety chocolate-burgundy petals surrounding a dark brown center disk. A medium-sized sunflower, the plants grow 3 to 6 feet tall and have a flower head 12 to 24 inches in diameter. Plant in full sun in moist soil after threat of frost; the plant will flower in about 60 days. Space plants 2 feet apart.

Seed Collecting

• To collect seeds for planting next year, allow the flowers to fade and the flower head to dry before removing the seeds. Sunflower cultivars such as chocolate and chocolate cherry do not always remain true to the parent plant, so you may be better off buying new seeds next year. If you do not want sunflowers to self-seed, deadhead after the flower finishes blooming.

Planting Conditions

• Chocolate sunflowers thrive in well-drained, neutral-to-alkaline soil. Add lime if your soil is acidic for best results. Sunflowers are easy to grow outdoors from seed after the threat of killing frost has passed in your area, but you can start plants inside in peat pots to get a head start on the season. Plant one or two seeds per pot two to three weeks before your last frost date.