Shock-o-lat Sunflower is a stunning annual cultivar of Helianthus annuus that brings dramatic, deep mahogany tones to the garden. This full-sun lover produces the kind of blooms that stop visitors in their tracks, with rich chocolate-colored petals that seem to glow in strong light. Growing as an annual, it thrives in warm-season gardens and rewards direct sowing or early indoor starts with reliable, abundant flowers throughout summer.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
?in H x ?in W
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High
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The deep mahogany coloring of Shock-o-lat sets it apart from traditional golden sunflowers, delivering a sophisticated, almost velvety darkness that photographs beautifully and adds genuine drama to garden beds and arrangements. It's straightforward to grow from seed, with reliable germination and strong seedling vigor when started indoors in biodegradable pots. The rich chocolate tones make it especially striking in fresh bouquets or as dried flowers for longer-lasting displays.
Shock-o-lat Sunflower is grown primarily as an ornamental for garden display and fresh-cut flower arrangements. The dramatic dark blooms work beautifully in late-summer bouquets, adding depth and sophisticated color contrast to mixed arrangements. Many gardeners also dry the flowers for winter arrangements, where the deep mahogany tones actually intensify as they cure.
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Start seeds indoors 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Use biodegradable pots (sunflowers are sensitive to root disturbance, and these pots can be planted directly in the ground without transplant shock). Sow seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Keep soil warm and consistently moist until germination occurs.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your average last frost date has passed. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing periods over 7 to 10 days before final planting. Plant the entire biodegradable pot directly into the ground to minimize root disturbance.
Sow seeds outdoors directly in the garden 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, once soil has warmed. Plant at a depth of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.
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