Succulents have become so popular because they add pops of greenery to a space without all of the hard work of maintaining them. Yes, we love these desert beauties, but now we’re ready for bright flowers, too.
Some may opt for a fresh flower subscription or arranging a bouquet at home. Nothing beats growing your own flowers from seed, though, especially when those flowers turn heads. That’s definitely the case with chocolate cherry sunflowers, which will make you look at sunflowers in a whole new light.
What Is a Chocolate Cherry Sunflower?
Everyone knows what sunflowers look like. They’re iconic with their yellow petals and dark brown center. Now, chocolate cherry sunflowers, on the other hand, look exactly how they sound. They are a gorgeous shade of deep, dark burgundy that have an even darker center. Some lean more black while others fade into a rich brown shade.
The seeds can be planted in the spring or summer ½” deep. Keep in mind this is a branching variety of sunflower, so if you pinch then you’ll have a short plant with flowering branches. Otherwise, they will grow to 8 feet tall with an 8-inch flower head. Beautiful!
Where Can I Buy Sunflower Seeds?
Seeds are available from sources like Burpee, one of our best places to buy plants and seeds online. You can also find the seeds on Etsy, carried by multiple sellers, including TomorrowSeeds. The best part of growing flowers from seeds is that it’s so economical. Most online retailers are selling chocolate cherry sunflower seeds for less than $5. Now, get growing!
Chocolate and Cherry Desserts We Love
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Cherry Fudge Truffle Coconut Cheesecake
Cherries and chocolate come together in this dazzling coconut cheesecake. It's a holiday showstopper! —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Chocolate Cherry Fudge
This chocolate cherry fudge is unique from others, and festive for the holidays. It's a recipe my husband really enjoys. I've made it for our Homemaker group's Christmas party. —June Lindquist, Hammond, Wisconsin
Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake
Cherries and chocolate are natural partners that make desserts such as this simply scrumptious! The marbled effect is easily achieved by layering the two contrasting batters. —Sandra Campbell, Chase Mills, New York
Black Forest Tart
Cherry pie filling and a melted chocolate drizzle top a rich, fudgy cake made from chocolate cookie crumbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls
Here's my twist on the traditional German holiday lebkuchen—with a surprise inside. Maraschino cherries add a sweet and unexpected punch to the holiday spice of gingersnaps. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Cherry Upside-Down Bread Pudding
I've always loved bread pudding, and I enjoy fixing this for my family on a chilly day. You could use a different flavor of pie filling and omit the chocolate chips to make a completely different dessert. It's always delicious! —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
Cherry Chocolate Nut Cookies
Each Christmas, I make about 600 cookies to share with family and friends. The holidays wouldn't be the same without several batches of these colorful goodies. —Sybil Brown, Highland, California
Chocolate-Cherry Ice Cream Cake
O say can you see this amazing dessert at your next gathering? I make it ahead of time and keep it in the freezer, wrapped in foil, for a week or so before serving.—Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Chocolate-Covered Cherries
Not only is this my family's favorite festive dessert, but it makes a delicious holiday present, too. Best of all, you can (and should) prepare these ahead. The candy gets better as it's stored, with the centers becoming even juicier. —Linda Hammerich, Bonanza, Oregon
Dutch Oven Chocolate Dump Cake
Looking for a quick dessert that will make people think you spent all day in the kitchen? This Dutch oven dump cake will wow your guests. Feel free to use your favorite pie filling in place of cherry. — Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cherry-Coconut Chocolate Torte
This torte reminds me of two favorite treats: chocolate covered cherries and old-fashioned Cherry Mash candy bars. —Dian Hicks Carlson, Omaha, Nebraska
Cherry-Chocolate Pudgy Pie
Here’s an ooey-gooey treat that’s just right for campfires and cookouts. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
Chocolate Chip-Cherry Chunk Cookies
My grandmas and mom created this recipe with chocolate chips, cherries and spices, a combo of their favorite parts of different cookies. Then dad made ice cream to turn them into ice cream sandwiches. We'd eat these sandwiches in the summer heat, each bite cooling us as the ice cream melted down our arms. —Wade Rouse, Fennville, Michigan. For more info on author Wade Rouse, please visit www.ViolaShipman.com
Cherry Chocolate Pecan Pie
I'm a pie baker and this is one my family frequently requests. With the brandy infused cherries and chocolate chips, it's an awesome twist on a pecan pie.—Sonya Labbe, Santa Monica, California
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Thumbprints
When I dig out my best cookie recipes, they remind me of baking when my children were little. These thumbprints with cherries elicit sweet memories. —Deborah Puette, Lilburn, Georgia
Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
My kids love making these home-style cookies. They're so wonderful when warm. —Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Black Forest Cannoli Parfaits
My family loves cannoli, but I don't love making the shells. This parfait is an easy way to enjoy the flavor without spending time baking the shells. —Anna Ginsberg, Austin, Texas
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Delights
Chocolate-covered cherries were my dad’s favorite candy, so I designed these cookies for him. They’re super-cute with a fudgy sauce and coconut surprise inside. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Spumoni Baked Alaska
For a refreshing end to a rich meal, try this freezer finale. Its intriguing interior and pretty color scheme are bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate-Cherry Sandwich Cookies
I make these often at Christmastime, but they're a winner for summer parties, too. Chilling the cookies before you dip them into chocolate is important because it firms up the filling. —Amy Sauerwalt, Columbia, Maryland
Chocolate-Filled Cherry Angel Cake
Here's a cake that will catch the eye of all your guests. It's beautiful and is ideal for parties or holidays. If you loved chocolate and cherries together, you'll love this cake! —Barbara Wheeler, Royal Oak, Michigan
Cherry Bombs
You'll win praise for these clever cherry bombs. Serve them for a special occasion with a knife and dessert spoon. —Linda Triplett, Renton, Washington
Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Cherry-Chocolate Cream Puffs
I developed this fun chocolate-filled cream puff recipe that’s perfect for cherry lovers. I enjoy cooking and playing with ideas for new recipes. —Christopher Fuson, Marysville, Ohio
Almond Cherry Fudge
Cooked in the microwave, this fast fudge is a sweet addition to any holiday gathering. I make it when I need a quick treat for a school party or to take to a neighbor. —Shellie Tucker, Hendersonvlle, Tennessee
Chocolate Cherry Crepes
One of the reasons that we love this impressive-looking recipe is that it's easy to make. We prepare the crepes and filling in advance, and assemble them and add the topping just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Black Forest Chocolate Torte
If you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
Spumoni Slices
My sweet rectangles get their name from the old-fashioned tri-colored ice cream. Our whole family prefers them. —Mary Chupp, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chocolate-Cherry Brownie Cake
My grandmother taught me the tricks to making this cake, and I've added my own special touches. The melted chocolate keeps the icing from being too dry and gives it a texture similar to chocolate ice cream. I have more requests for the icing than I do anything else! —Susan Hayes, Massapequa, New York
Chocolate Cherry Layer Cake
This luscious cake is really versatile for all-year fun. I've changed the design on top to a heart for Valentine's, a pumpkin for autumn and a tree for Christmas. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Cherry Almond Mousse Pie
Treat your loved ones to a luscious pie with chocolate, cherries and nuts in a creamy vanilla mousse. It's a sweet yet refreshing dessert. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies
Although these cookies require a little extra effort, they’re worth it. I make them for every family gathering—and they never last long! —Marie Kinyon, Mason, Michigan
Black Forest Upside-Down Cake
The divine flavors of this simple Black Forest cake will impress your guests and leave you with many requests for the recipe! —Kimberly Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia
Black Forest Icebox Cookies
These rich chocolate wafers are the perfect complement to the creamy filling's sweet-tart tones. Chill for up to four hours; any longer and the wafers get too soft to pick up with your hands. —Taste of Home Test KitchenThe post Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers Will Make Your Yard Look Dark and Decadent appeared first on Taste of Home.
Krista Garcia