Sunflower 'Shock-O-Lat'

Shock-O-Lat Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Shock-O-Lat stirs the senses with blooms as rich as bittersweet chocolate, each petal tipped or brushed with warm gold as if kissed by late summer light. This branching variety sends up a generous succession of 4–6" blooms on strong 12–24" stems, perfect for gathering into lush, seasonal bouquets. Each flower is pollenless for clean arrangements, yet still offers nectar for bees and other pollinators.

Some blooms lean more toward deep chocolate, others toward golden blends, giving each stem a personality all its own. A natural companion to fiery zinnias, copper amaranth, or creamy lisianthus, Shock-O-Lat lends itself beautifully to autumn harvest arrangements and garden borders that glow right through to frost.

DETAILS:

QTY: 20

TYPE: Annual

SITE: Full Sun

SEED DEPTH: 1/2-1"

GERMINATION: 7-14 days at 21-24°C

HEIGHT: 64-76"

MATURITY: 55 - 65 Days

SPACING: 6-18"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:

Direct Seed (recommended): Sunflowers are best grown from seed sown directly into the garden. Sow seeds after your last frost date, once the soil temperature is consistently above 18°C. Plant seeds 1/2-1" deep, spacing them 6–12" apart. Taller varieties should be spaced farther apart. Cover the seeds and water well. To protect seeds from birds and squirrels, you can cover the area with netting or a pot until the seedlings emerge.

Transplanting (alternative, use caution): Sunflowers form a deep taproot and are sensitive to root disturbance. If you choose to start them indoors for an earlier bloom, sow seeds into biodegradable pots (like peat or coir pots) 2–3 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds 1/2-1" deep. Harden off seedlings for 7–10 days before transplanting the entire pot into the ground after all danger of frost has passed.

Pinching: Pinching is not recommended for single-stemmed, large-headed sunflower varieties, as it will prevent the formation of the main flower. For branching or multi-stemmed varieties, you can pinch the main stem when the plant is 12–18" tall to encourage lateral branching and more, albeit smaller, flowers.

Soil Preference and Watering: Sunflowers thrive in full sun and require well-drained, fertile soil. While establishing, they need consistent and deep watering. Water them deeply once a week, especially during dry periods and when the plants are forming buds. Once mature, they are relatively drought-tolerant but will perform best with regular watering.

Fertilizing: Sunflowers are heavy feeders and will benefit from fertile soil. If your soil is poor, you can amend it with compost before planting. An application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer can be given a few weeks after planting. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flower heads.

Staking: Taller sunflower varieties may need staking, especially if they are in a windy location. Install stakes when the plants are young to avoid damaging the roots later.

Harvesting: For cut flowers, harvest in the morning just as the petals are beginning to unfurl. For sunflower seeds, wait until the back of the flower head turns brown and the petals have started to fall off. Cut the head from the stem and allow it to dry in a well-ventilated area for a few weeks before removing the seeds.