Reddish-brown Sunflower 'Chocolat' (Helianthus annuus) seeds
- A sunflower in deep chocolate hues – graceful summer splendour for garden, vase & pollinators
- Contents: Approx. 20 seeds
- Open-pollinated variety, seed tested regularly
€2.59
Description
Dark Elegance for Striking Summer Gardens
The sunflower 'Chocolat' (Helianthus annuus) is one of the most captivating varieties of its kind: its velvety dark brown to reddish-brown petals evoke fine chocolate and create bold highlights in the flower border. This unusual colour variation brings a sense of mysterious depth to summer gardens and is ideal for modern or high-contrast planting schemes.
This annual plant grows to around 150–180?cm in height, branches well, and produces multiple blooms per plant. Thanks to its long, sturdy stems, 'Chocolat' is particularly well suited as a cut flower – whether displayed individually or arranged in late-summer bouquets.
Its blooms attract bees, bumblebees and other pollinators, making a valuable contribution to biodiversity. Despite its exotic appearance, it is a hardy and easy-care variety.
Plant profile
| Plant type | Container plant, Summer flower |
|---|---|
| Use | Container plant, Cut flower, Good insect food plant, Green manure, Ornamental plant |
| Lifecycle | Annual |
| Species | Asteraceae |
| Characteristics | Food for bees, Needs darkness to germinate |
| Eventual height | 1-3 m, 100-150 cm |
| Flower colour | Brown, Red |
| Flowering months | August, July, September |
| Root system | Deep roots, Taproot |
Growing instructions
| When to sow outdoors | June, May |
|---|---|
| Sowing depth | 2-3 cm |
| Germination temperature | 5-12°C |
| Germination time | 1-2 weeks |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Soil type | Free-draining, Fresh, Humus-rich, Nutrient-rich |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Water requirement | High |
| Planting distance | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Good companion plants | Bush beans, Cucumber, Onion |
| Bad companion plants | Potatoes, Tomatoes |
Sowing and care
Sowing and Care of Helianthus annuus
- Plant type: Annual summer flower
- Sowing: Direct sowing outdoors from mid-April to June
- Germination: At 15–20°C within 7–14 days
- Location: Sunny position; nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
- Height: Approx. 150–180cm
- Special features: Attractive to pollinators & suitable as a cut flower
With its deep, dark flower colour, impressive height, and elegant appearance, 'Chocolat' is a truly distinctive variety of sunflower – perfect for those who appreciate the extraordinary.
Other names
Botanical name: Helianthus annuus, H. cultus
German: Gewöhnliche Sonnenblume
English: Common Sunflower
French: Héliotrope, Maurelle
Italian: Girasole comune
Spanish: Calom, Jáquima, Maravilla, Mirasol, Tlapololote, Maíz de teja, Acahual, Flor de escudo
Dutch: Zonnebloem
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