Chocolate Cherry Sunflower Seeds for Planting | Rare Burgund

The Verdict

The Hook: A Sunflower That Actually Looks Like Chocolate

Most “rare” sunflower seeds on Amazon are just standard yellow blooms with a fancy name slapped on the packet. The Chocolate Cherry variety is different — the petals are a deep, velvety burgundy that darkens to almost black at the center, and the whole flower looks like something out of a gothic garden catalog. It’s the kind of sunflower that makes neighbors stop and ask what you’re growing. But it’s not without quirks, and you need to know them before you buy.

What You Get

The packet arrives with roughly 40-50 seeds — enough for a solid border or two staggered plantings. The seeds themselves are the classic striped black-and-white sunflower seed, nothing special to look at. What matters is what’s inside: these are open-pollinated, not hybrid, so you can save seed from the best plants for next year. That’s a genuine plus for gardeners who like to propagate their own stock.

One thing the listing doesn’t emphasize enough: these seeds need cold stratification. The product description mentions it in passing, but several buyers missed it and got patchy germination. One reviewer noted, “I direct-sowed in May and got maybe 30% germination. Second batch I chilled in the fridge for 3 weeks and got nearly 90%.” That’s the single most important piece of advice I can give you.

Performance and Build Quality

Once established, these are vigorous growers. Multiple buyers report plants hitting the full 6-7 feet advertised, with sturdy stalks that don’t flop. One reviewer from Zone 6 said, “We had 50mph winds in July and they stood straight. No staking needed.” The branching habit means you get multiple flowers per plant — typically 5-8 blooms over several weeks, not one giant flower like a Mammoth variety.

The color is the star here. In full sun, the petals are a rich, dark burgundy. In partial shade, they lean more toward maroon with a hint of bronze. Soil pH matters too — slightly acidic soil deepens the color, alkaline washes it out. If you want the darkest blooms, plant in full sun and amend with compost. Expect flowers to be 4-5 inches across, which is smaller than the photo suggests. That’s not a flaw — it’s just the branching habit tradeoff — but it catches people off guard.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The color is the overwhelming favorite. Across 215 ratings, the most common praise is about how unusual and striking the blooms are. One buyer wrote, “Grew these next to standard yellow sunflowers and the contrast was stunning. The burgundy looks almost black in certain light.” Another said, “Bees and butterflies went crazy for them. Best pollinator plant in my garden this year.”

The height and sturdiness also get consistent shout-outs. Several reviewers mentioned using them as a natural privacy screen along a fence line, and the branching habit actually helps fill the space better than single-stem varieties.

Where It Falls Short

The germination issue is real. If you don’t stratify, you’ll get uneven results. That’s not a dealbreaker — it’s a 10-minute fridge task — but it’s a step many casual gardeners skip, and the packet doesn’t make it prominent enough.

The color variability also frustrates some buyers. If you’re expecting every single bloom to match the product photo perfectly, you’ll be disappointed. Soil conditions genuinely affect the intensity. One reviewer complained, “Half my flowers came out more purple than burgundy.” That’s not a seed defect — it’s just plant genetics responding to environment — but it’s worth knowing.

Finally, these are annuals. They won’t come back next year, and the seeds themselves aren’t edible (they’re bitter, bred for looks not snacking). If you want edible sunflower seeds, buy a confectionery variety instead.

Who Should Buy These

• Gardeners who want a showpiece flower — the burgundy-black color is genuinely unique
• Pollinator gardeners — bees and butterflies frequent these heavily
• Cut flower enthusiasts — the stems are long and sturdy, and the blooms hold up well in vases (7-10 days with fresh cuts)
• Anyone willing to do a 10-minute stratification step for dramatically better germination

Skip them if you want a low-effort, direct-sow annual, or if you expect dinner-plate-sized flowers. This is a specialty variety with specific needs.

FAQ

Q: Do these seeds really need cold stratification? A: Yes. 2-4 weeks in the fridge (moist paper towel in a sealed bag) improves germination from roughly 30% to 85-90%. It’s a simple step — don’t skip it.

Q: How tall do they actually get? A: Most buyers report 6-7 feet, matching the listing. Some hit 8 feet in rich soil. The branching habit means they’re bushier than single-stem varieties, so space them 18-24 inches apart.

Q: Can I save seeds for next year? A: Yes, these are open-pollinated. Let the flowers dry completely on the stalk, harvest the seeds, and stratify them again before planting. Expect some color variation in the next generation.

The Verdict: 4.2/5 Stars

Buy it if you want a genuinely rare-looking sunflower that delivers on its dramatic color promise and you’re willing to handle the stratification step. The sturdy 6-7 foot stalks, pollinator appeal, and open-pollinated status make this a solid value for the price.

Skip it if you want a carefree direct-sow annual or expect single, enormous flowers. This is a specialty variety for gardeners who don’t mind a little extra effort for a stunning payoff. The color variation and smaller bloom size are honest tradeoffs, but for most buyers, the unique burgundy-black flowers more than compensate.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps fund more honest reviews.

Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.