Chocolates and flowers are a common combination, especially in the realm of romance; however, with the Chocolate sunflower variety, you get both in a single package!
There are many varieties of sunflowers to choose from, but this one might just be the “sweetest” of them all. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Chocolate sunflower!
Characteristics of the Chocolate Sunflower
The Chocolate sunflower, also known as the Chocolate Cherry sunflower, is presumably named thanks to its rich, dark, brown-leaning color. The other portion of the petals is tinted bright red, but the color grows darker and darker closer to the center, ending up closer to a deep brown shade just before the petals connect with the blackish-brown centers of the flower.
These blooms are large, as are most sunflowers, with the typical sunburst-like shape. The blooms can stretch out to nearly five or six inches, making them eye-catching no matter where you choose to plant them!
These flowers also grow quite tall, reaching heights between four and five feet—shorter than the average person, but coming close to that height. They’re not for those with a hope for a delicate, dainty garden; however, if you’re looking to elicit gasps from passersby or envy from those who opted for smaller plants, this is the flower for you.
Sunflowers, as per their name, require plenty of sunlight. They thrive best away from the shade. And while they need a good amount of water, it can be easy to overwater by accident, so be careful how much you give them.
Chocolate Sunflower FAQ
Where can you buy this flower?
While you might strike out seeking this flower out at the common grocery store chains, you might be able to find them scattered throughout some seasonal bouquets. Dark red and brown sunflowers tend to pop up here and there with autumnal-themed flower bunches, but there are no guarantees.
You’re more likely to be able to track them down at a florist shop or other more specialized garden center. They tend to be stocked with more varieties, but you can also usually order certain types of flowers through these places to suit your specific needs.
However, if you want to be absolutely positive you’ll have access to these flowers whenever you please, you’re probably best off growing them in your very own backyard. While growing your own Chocolate sunflowers might feel intimidating at first, especially if you’re a first-time gardener, they’re not the undertaking you might imagine them to be!
Can you grow it at home?
Yes, you can absolutely grow the Chocolate sunflower at home. Sunflowers are some of the easiest flowers to grow from seed, so they actually make for a great beginner flower if you’ve never really gardened before.
Chocolate sunflowers don’t necessarily thrive best by starting indoors and then being transplanted; it’s better to direct sow after you’re sure the final frost of the season has come and gone. If you live in an area where winter can stretch out, or areas prone to surprise late-season snows, you might want to delay your planting a bit. Better safe than sorry, after all!
Sunflowers are a favorite of home gardeners for a reason; they’re not hard to grow, don’t require extreme maintenance to continue thriving, and offer instant curb appeal to any house they’re planted by.
Sunflower fields are a popular autumn pastime, but by growing Chocolate sunflowers in your own garden, you can bring the sunflower field right to you! No need for long drives or worrying over whether the blooms will still be there by the time you make the trip; you’ll have them all to yourself!
What are the benefits of growing at home?
There are multiple benefits to growing these gorgeous flowers at home. You can plant them around the perimeter of your yard, your deck, your patio, or anywhere else to create a natural “privacy fence” of sorts; not only will this keep the prying eyes of neighbors out, but it will add a more beautiful barrier to your yard than you could achieve with plain wood or chain-link or any other kind of fence. It’s also less maintenance-intensive than a hedge or other bushes might be.
The other benefit of growing at home is that you’ll have a guaranteed supply of these blooms as long as the season lasts! Of course, you might need to invest in some repellant to keep critters away; in my personal experience growing sunflowers, many animals find juvenile sunflowers to be an easy snack.
Where should you plant it?
Be sure to plant your sunflowers in an area of your yard that gets plenty of sunlight. They thrive best in full sunlight, with well-draining soil to avoid flooded roots.
Another concern to pay attention to is that sunflowers can be prone to wind damage due to their tall stems and top-heavy nature. I suggest using garden stakes to support your sunflowers as they grow, especially when they’re young and weaker-stemmed.
Try to avoid planting sunflowers in areas where the wind can get intense, but as they require full sunlight, it’s likely that it will be difficult to accomplish both. I suggest prioritizing the sunlight and using the stakes to cover any potential wind problems.
Sunflowers also have a widespread, as mentioned, so try not to plant them above shorter plants that require considerable sunlight. They might cast too much shade to allow their neighboring plants to thrive.
Where To Buy Chocolate Sunflower Seeds
While you can find Chocolate sunflower seeds through many online retailers, we suggest ordering from Hoss Tools! This is a fantastic online store and you can’t beat the convenience of ordering your seeds and having them show up right on your doorstep.
Wrapping Up the Chocolate Sunflower
There you have it: everything you need to know about finding, growing, and purchasing Chocolate sunflowers! These gentle giants are sure to grace your garden with their beautiful sable coloring and impressive height.
Looking for more sunflower varieties, sunflower care guides, and all things sunflower growing? Take a look at our sunflower section now!
- About the Author
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Cassidy Eubanks is a proud Michigander, an avid reader, a lover of colorful gardens, and a writer for Minneopa Orchards.
After earning her bachelor’s in Creative Writing (partially through virtual learning, thanks to the pandemic), gardening gave her an excuse to get outside and get away from all the screens. With a particular love for decorating with colorful flowers, using herbs grown in her own garden, and finding creative ways to build big gardens in small spaces, Cassidy enjoys helping others learn about growing their own food, flowers, and trees through Minneopa Orchards!