How to Grow
Sunflower 'Chocolate' from Seed
The near-black velvet sunflower -- Half-Hardy Annual with deep chocolate-burgundy to mahogany velvet petals and dark chocolate-brown centre disc; branching multi-headed habit producing multiple stems July to October; low pollen for longer vase life without staining; sow one per 7–9cm pot at 1–2cm in April at 18–22°C; plant late May–June at 45–60cm in full sun; the sophisticated dark anchor of the Bishy sunflower range
Sunflower 'Chocolate' occupies a specific and important position in the Bishy Barnabee's sunflower range: it is the near-black velvet end of the spectrum, the variety that provides the sophisticated, moody depth that bright golden, orange or even red sunflowers cannot. The deep chocolate-burgundy to mahogany petals -- velvety in texture, rich and saturated in colour -- radiate from a dark chocolate-brown disc in a combination that reads as decidedly unlike the conventional sunflower image, and decidedly like a flower that belongs in a sophisticated late-summer mixed arrangement alongside dark Scabiosa, copper Rudbeckia and the airy white of Ammi.
The branching habit of Sunflower Chocolate means that a single plant produces multiple lateral flowering stems throughout the season -- July through October in good conditions -- rather than the single terminal flower of single-stemmed varieties. This continuous production makes Chocolate particularly valuable for the cutting garden, where it provides a succession of dark, velvety stems for fresh arrangements throughout the second half of summer, with the added bonus of the seed heads attracting goldfinches as the season closes.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Half-Hardy Annual -- the "near-black velvet" end of the Bishy sunflower range
Colour
Deep chocolate-burgundy to mahogany velvet petals; dark chocolate-brown centre disc
Branching
Multiple blooms per plant from a single branching stem structure; 150–180cm tall
Cut flower
Long vase life; low pollen -- less mess and staining than open-pollinated varieties
Succession
Sow in two batches (April + May) for a longer cutting season into September
Difficulty
2 out of 5 -- sunflowers are vigorous and forgiving; just give them sun and space
Understanding Sunflower Chocolate
Sow in Individual Pots -- Sunflowers Dislike Root Disturbance
Sunflowers develop a long taproot from the earliest stage. Sowing in individual 7–9cm pots (one seed per pot, 1–2cm deep) and planting out without disturbing the root ball gives the most reliable results. If using cell trays, use the largest cells available and plant out before the roots become pot-bound. Sunflowers started too early and allowed to become root-bound in small pots never fully recover their vigour when planted out.
Frost-Tender Throughout -- Plant Out Late May to June Only
Sunflowers are half-hardy annuals -- completely frost-tender. Even a light frost kills established plants. Do not plant out until all frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 15°C, typically late May to mid-June across most of the UK. Harden off over 7–10 days by bringing pots outside for increasing periods before leaving them permanently outdoors.
The Dark Sunflower -- Position in the Bishy Range
The Bishy sunflower range is described as covering "the full tonal spectrum from golden pompom (Teddy Bear) through blazing bicolour (Ring of Fire), pure crimson (Red Sun), near-black velvet (Chocolate), and luminous cream (Vanilla Ice)." Chocolate occupies the near-black velvet position: the deepest, darkest end of the warm sunflower spectrum, where the rich chocolate-burgundy petals and dark chocolate-brown centre create a flower that reads as emphatically warm and dark rather than the vivid yellow-orange of the classic sunflower image. In a mixed garden or vase arrangement, Chocolate provides the specific visual anchor that brings depth and sophistication to what would otherwise be an entirely bright, warm palette.
The Dark Sunflower in the Cut Flower Vase
In a mixed cut flower arrangement, Sunflower Chocolate performs a specific design function: it provides the dark, warm, velvet element that bridges the warm sunflower palette (golden, orange, red) and the cooler or deeper elements of a mixed summer arrangement. The chocolate-burgundy petals work beautifully alongside copper and bronze Rudbeckia, deep maroon Scabiosa Black Knight, warm orange Calendula, and the airy white of Ammi -- the dark Chocolate sunflower anchoring the arrangement in a way that pure yellow or even orange sunflowers cannot. The relatively low pollen production extends vase life and prevents the yellow pollen staining on surfaces that makes some sunflower varieties difficult to use in domestic arrangements.
Sowing & Growing On
Sow Indoors April in Individual Pots at 1–2cm -- 18–22°C -- 7–10 Days -- Harden Off -- Plant Late May–June at 45–60cm -- Full Sun -- Deep Well-Drained Soil
Sow one seed per 7–9cm pot at 1–2cm depth in April at 18–22°C. Germination 7–10 days. Move to bright light immediately. Harden off thoroughly. Plant out late May–June at 45–60cm spacing in full sun with deep, well-drained soil. Water at the base consistently. Succession sow in May for an extended cutting season.
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Sow one seed per 7–9cm pot at 1–2cm depth in April at 18–22°C. Germination is usually rapid -- 7–10 days in warm conditions. Move seedlings to the brightest available position immediately on emergence; sunflowers stretch toward light quickly and become leggy in poor light. Turn pots daily on a windowsill to keep growth even.
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Harden off thoroughly over 7–10 days before planting out. Bring pots outside for increasing periods over one to two weeks before leaving permanently. Sunflowers are tough but a sudden cold snap after planting out can set them back significantly. Patience during hardening is well rewarded by plants that establish quickly rather than sitting sulking through a cold period.
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Plant out late May–June at 45–60cm spacing in the sunniest, most sheltered position available. Full sun is essential -- Sunflower Chocolate needs at least 6 hours of direct sun per day for the rich, dark colour to develop to its maximum intensity. Prepare the planting hole with a handful of general fertiliser or a shovelful of compost. Water in well.
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Water consistently at the base throughout the growing season; feed monthly from June. Sunflowers are heavy feeders with deep roots. Water deeply at the base (not overhead) to encourage the taproot to go down. A monthly balanced liquid feed from June through August supports continuous branching and flowering on this multi-headed variety. Staking may be needed in exposed positions for plants over 150cm.
Growing On & Care
The Dark Velvet Aesthetic
The deep chocolate-burgundy of Sunflower Chocolate belongs to the category of garden colours described as "moody" -- not quite dark enough to be neutral, not warm enough to read as cheerful, but deeply rich and sophisticated in a way that gardeners either immediately find compelling or initially overlook in favour of brighter options. In strong afternoon sunlight, the petals appear to have depth and texture -- a velvety quality -- that makes the large flower heads genuinely striking at distance. In the diffuse light of an overcast UK summer day, the colour reads as rich mahogany, warm and complex.
As a Cut Flower
Sunflower Chocolate is an outstanding cut flower: the dark velvet petals and chocolate centre work beautifully in warm-toned mixed arrangements, and the relatively low pollen production extends vase life and prevents the yellow surface staining that makes some sunflower varieties difficult for indoor use. Cut when the outer petals are fully unfurled but the centre disc is still firm, re-cut under water, and condition overnight in deep water. Vase life 10–14 days. In a mixed arrangement with Red Sun sunflowers, the contrast between the dark Chocolate and the vivid crimson of Red Sun provides one of the most dramatic warm-palette combinations available from summer-grown cut flowers.
Branching Habit -- Multiple Stems
Unlike single-stemmed sunflower varieties that produce one large terminal flower and then finish, Sunflower Chocolate has a branching habit that produces multiple lateral flowering stems from the main plant structure. This branching means: the plant continues producing new flowering stems throughout the season rather than exhausting itself in a single display; each plant provides multiple harvest occasions rather than one; and the overall season of flower production from a single plant extends from July through to the first hard frosts of autumn, rather than the 2–3 weeks of a single-stemmed variety.
Birds, Bees and the Seed Head
Sunflowers are outstanding for pollinators: bees of all kinds visit the open flowers throughout summer, and the ripening seed heads are a valuable late-season food source for birds -- particularly goldfinches and greenfinches. At the end of the season, allow some heads to dry fully on the plant; once the back of the head turns papery and brown and the seeds loosen easily, cut and leave on a bird table or seed feeder, or hang upside down as a natural bird feeder for finches through autumn and winter.
Succession Sowing
For a longer cutting season: sow the first batch indoors in April for July–August flowers, and a second batch directly outside in mid-May for August–September flowers. Three weeks apart, the two batches bring different plants into peak production at different times, overlapping the season and avoiding the gap that a single sowing creates. For a longer display of sunflowers, sow in two or three batches.
The Bishy Sunflower Range -- Where Chocolate Fits
Understanding where Sunflower Chocolate sits within the Bishy range clarifies its specific role: Teddy Bear (golden pompom, compact, cottage charm); Ring of Fire (blazing bicolour, striking contrast); Red Sun (pure vivid crimson, the cleanest red); Chocolate (near-black velvet, sophisticated depth); Vanilla Ice (luminous cream, cool and elegant). Chocolate is the dark anchor of the range -- the variety that provides the sophisticated, moody depth that prevents a collection of sunflowers from being simply bright.
Sowing & Flowering Calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
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| Sow indoors (April; one per pot; 1–2cm) |
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| Optional second sow direct (mid-May) |
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| Plant out (late May–Jun; harden off first) |
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| First flowers (Jul–Aug from April sowing) |
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| Continued branching flowers (Aug–Oct) |
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Common Problems & Solutions
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Leggy, drawn seedlings | Insufficient light; too warm without light | Move to the brightest available position immediately on germination. Sunflowers stretch toward light rapidly in poor conditions. Turn pots daily on a windowsill. A south-facing windowsill is the minimum; a heated greenhouse with glass roof is ideal. |
| Poor root development; plant not establishing | Root-bound before planting; roots disturbed at transplanting | Plant out before roots become pot-bound (when roots just begin to circle the bottom of the pot). Handle the root ball very gently at transplanting -- sunflowers have a sensitive taproot and disturbed roots significantly reduce establishment speed. |
| Flowers fading from chocolate to brownish-orange | Plant under stress; insufficient water; nutrient-depletion | Water consistently and deeply at the base. Feed monthly from June. Stressed plants produce less richly-coloured flowers. The deep chocolate colour is most intense in well-nourished, adequately-watered plants in full sun. |
| Squirrels or birds digging up seeds | Normal wildlife behaviour toward large, nutritious sunflower seeds | Protect newly-sown seeds with wire mesh or netting until seedlings emerge. Alternatively, start indoors to avoid the exposed-seed-in-ground stage entirely. |
Plant Specifications
The dark velvet sunflower that gives a mixed arrangement its depth and sophistication -- sow in April, plant in June, cut through to October
Sow one seed per 7–9cm pot at 1–2cm depth in April at 18–22°C. Move to bright light immediately on emergence. Harden off over 7–10 days. Plant out late May–June at 45–60cm in full sun with deep, well-drained soil. Water at the base consistently. The branching habit produces multiple chocolate-burgundy flower heads from July through to the first frosts.
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