- Botanical name: Helianthus annuus 'Choco Sun'
- Common name: Sunflower
- Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Annual
Yellow
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Sunflowers are among the easiest and most rewarding annuals to grow. They’re also some of the tallest, with many varieties producing huge, saucer-shaped yellow flowers that tower over other plants in the border.
Helianthus annuus ‘Choco Sun’ is a fast growing, dwarf sunflower, bearing large heads of yellow petals with a deep brown centre. It’s ideal for growing towards the front of a border and makes an excellent cut flower.
Sow seed in individual 10cm pots of moist seed compost in April to May, cover with cling film and place on a sunny windowsill or greenhouse bench. Remove the cling film once the seeds have germinated, and water plants regularly, allowing the water to drain. Pot on into larger pots with multipurpose compost, before eventually planting outside once all risk of frost has passed.
For best results enrich the soil with plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost before planting out Helianthus annuus ‘Choco Sun’, and water plants regularly. You may need to stake plants in exposed gardens.
How to grow Helianthus 'Choco Sun'
-
Plant size
1.5m height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Tender
- Soil type: Chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Helianthus 'Choco Sun' and wildlife
Helianthus 'Choco Sun' is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Helianthus 'Choco Sun' poisonous?
Helianthus 'Choco Sun' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Helianthus 'Choco Sun'
