Which has more dramatic colouring, Chocolate Soldier or Hot Chocolate?

Chocolate Soldier

Thanks Anya! In some pics it looks much the same as Belle Centre (which I already have). I'm running out of space so I want anything new I put in to really be different from what I already have.

Does yours have a proper brown undertone to it?

I planted it in 2019 and last year he summer was cool so CS did not bloom. My Hot Chocolate is pretty dark and nice but I prefer the color of CS if I have to choose one of those (I judge it from pictures).

I want real chocolate.

Chocolate Soldier



Hot Chocolate



I have tried my best to capture the true colour of the flowers. Chocolate Soldier is definitely the browner red of the two.

Aside from colour, Hot Chocolate has tall stems and a bit of a spreading habit which I'm not a huge fan of. The guard petals turn inwards which to some viewers gives the impression of an aged flower.

Thanks Nick! That's very helpful.

Both are gorgeous in your garden, Nick!!

I have a few that resemble both of those, for instance Sword Dance. I think Battle Flag is also similar. Guess the difference is they are definitely red, not brownish. I had taken a pass on Chocolate Soldier and Hot Chocolate thinking they were all similar. But now I see they are very different. Thanks.

I agree - Chocolate Soldier is definitely a browner red - and gorgeous to boot. I have some planted in front of physocarpus aurea and I think that is sambucus Sutherland at the bottom


A red I adore is Merry Mayshine -


Super-shiny petals, lovely dissected foliage and it dies down early so good opportunity to plant late blooming stuff behind her - I have heuchera Marmalade behind one of my clumps.

Valerie, do your heucheras return? All of my yellow or orange shade don't last after 2 years.

Karen - certain cultivars are persistent and Marmalade is one of those but certainly there aren't many that one can call perennial I tried with heucherellas as their genetic makeup makes them slightly hardier but haven't hit on any really lasting varieties yet except Viking Ship (it took many tries before I got the right VS though)

Did Chocolate Soldier developed into something with a lot of petals - I would not call it semi-double or double, but certainly fluffier than a single flower for anyone who grows it? Don Richardson comes to mind as well.

Thank you Valerie! Appreciate those recommendations!