Shock-O-Lat
Helianthus annuus
Wikimedia Commons via Common sunflower
Rich, chocolatey blooms brushed with gold. Tall, vigorous plants produce multiple cuts of 4-6"-wide flowers on 12-24" stems. Some variation in bloom color within the variety. Beautiful color combination for late-summer and fall bouquets. Branching plants. Pollenless.
Harvest
65-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Shock-O-Lat in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Shock-O-Lat · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
Succession Planting
Shock-O-Lat is a cut-flower type, so staggered sowings make sense. In zone 7, direct sow every 14 days from April 1 through early June; that spreads bloom across late June through August rather than everything opening in the same two-week window. Don't push past a mid-June sowing — at 65-75 days to flower, a later planting risks getting caught by frost before heads mature. In zones 9-10, a second round sown in late August can catch the fall flush before nighttime lows drop below 50°F and stall development.
Complete Growing Guide
Direct sowing Shock-O-Lat sunflowers into garden soil after your last spring frost works best for these vigorous plants. You can start seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before your frost date if you prefer earlier blooms, but these fast-growing annuals don't transplant as reliably as some flowers, so direct sowing is recommended. Push seeds about half an inch deep into warm, well-draining soil, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart. While Shock-O-Lat tolerates average garden soil, enriching your planting area with compost or aged manure before sowing encourages the robust branching this variety is known for. The chocolate-toned blooms emerge reliably around 65 days from sowing, making mid-spring seeding ideal for late-summer and fall cutting.
Water newly sown seeds gently until seedlings establish, then transition to deep, infrequent watering once plants are growing actively. These tall, branching plants develop strong root systems that benefit from thorough soaking once or twice weekly rather than daily sprinkling. During dry spells, consistent moisture prevents stress that can reduce flower production on the secondary stems. A balanced fertilizer applied every three weeks supports the multiple flushes of blooms that make Shock-O-Lat valuable for cut flower production.
The pollenless characteristic means you needn't worry about messy pollen shedding indoors, but watch for spider mites, which occasionally target sunflowers in hot, dry conditions. A strong spray from the hose typically controls infestations on these sturdy plants. Powdery mildew can appear in late season, particularly if foliage remains wet; improve air circulation around the base of plants by removing lower leaves as they age.
Shock-O-Lat's branching habit rewards light pruning. Pinching out the main growing tip when plants reach 12 to 18 inches tall encourages multiple flower stems of more uniform size, extending your cutting season considerably. This technique transforms the plant into a bushier form that produces numerous 4 to 6-inch blooms on manageable 12 to 24-inch stems. For continuous harvests throughout fall, succession plant seeds every two weeks from mid-spring through early summer, staggering your flower production.
The most common mistake gardeners make with Shock-O-Lat is overcrowding the plants. The "branching" trait only fully develops when plants have adequate space and light. Dense planting restricts airflow, reduces bloom quality, and increases disease pressure. Respect the 12 to 18-inch spacing even though young seedlings look small; they will fill that space and reward you with the full, multi-stemmed plants this variety promises.
Harvesting
Shock-O-Lat reaches harvest at 65 - 75 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 4-6" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
Seeds are ovoid and somewhat flattened
Color: Black, Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall
Edibility: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh "Shock-O-Lat" blooms should be displayed in a cool room (65-70°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit, which produce ethylene gas. For maximum vase life (7-10 days), change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems at an angle. For preservation: (1) Air-dry by hanging stems upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks; (2) Press flowers between parchment paper under heavy books for 3-4 weeks for floral arrangements; (3) Freeze-dry whole blooms in a freeze-dryer for long-term storage with color retention. Store dried flowers in airtight containers away from humidity.
History & Origin
Shock-O-Lat is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Western United States
Advantages
- +Rich chocolatey blooms with gold brushing create stunning late-summer bouquets
- +Pollenless flowers ideal for indoor arrangements and allergy-sensitive environments
- +Multiple branching stems per plant maximize cutting yields efficiently
- +Quick 65-75 day maturity allows successive plantings for continuous harvests
- +Tall vigorous growth on 12-24 inch stems suits commercial and home cutting
Considerations
- -Color variation within variety may complicate consistent bouquet aesthetics
- -Tall plants require staking in windy locations to prevent damage
- -Heavy blooms demand consistent watering during peak heat stress periods
Companion Plants
French marigolds (Tagetes patula) earn a spot nearby because their root secretions suppress nematodes in the soil, and their scent disrupts the olfactory cues aphids use to find host plants. Nasturtiums work as a trap crop — aphids pile onto them first, which keeps pressure off the sunflowers and gives you a visible early-warning system. Sweet Alyssum pulls in hoverflies, whose larvae are active aphid predators, so that pairing has a real mechanism. Black Walnut is the one to plant nowhere near this bed: its roots release juglone, and Helianthus annuus is documented as sensitive enough that even soil previously occupied by walnut roots can cause wilt and dieback.
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial pollinators
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting nearby plants
Sweet Alyssum
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps for natural pest control
Lavender
Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting bees and butterflies
Petunias
Natural pest deterrent against aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs
Zinnia
Attracts beneficial insects and butterflies while providing complementary colors
Calendula
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Cosmos
Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural diversity without competing for nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone, a toxic compound that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants
Eucalyptus
Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants
Sunflowers
Can inhibit growth of nearby plants through allelopathy and compete heavily for nutrients
Troubleshooting Shock-O-Lat
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Seedling stems pinched off at soil level, often overnight
Likely Causes
- Cutworms (Agrotis spp.) — larvae hide just under the soil surface during the day
- Slugs, especially in cool, wet weather at germination
What to Do
- 1.Press a cardboard or aluminum foil collar 2 inches into the soil around each seedling stem
- 2.Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in a ring at the base of plants after watering
- 3.For cutworms, dig 2-3 inches into the soil near the damage site — you'll find the culprit curled up and can remove it by hand
Gray-white powdery coating on leaves, usually showing up mid-season after plants hit 18+ inches
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — common on sunflowers, especially when nights cool down and humidity rises
- Crowded planting blocking airflow between plants
What to Do
- 1.Make sure plants are spaced at least 18 inches apart — don't cheat on this
- 2.Spray affected leaves with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) weekly
- 3.Remove the worst-affected leaves and discard them — not in the compost
Flower heads heavily picked over, seeds missing or scattered, damage appearing in late summer
Likely Causes
- Goldfinches and house finches — they'll strip a head in a day or two
- Squirrels, which often snap entire heads off or knock them to the ground
What to Do
- 1.If you're growing for cut flowers, harvest heads when petals are just opening — before birds key in on them
- 2.Loosely wrap individual heads with cheesecloth or fine mesh netting once petals drop and seeds start to fill
- 3.Alternatively, leave them — Shock-O-Lat produces enough heads per plant that sharing a few with goldfinches isn't a loss
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Shock-O-Lat flowers last in a vase?▼
Is Shock-O-Lat a good variety for beginning flower growers?▼
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Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.