My impression is that their varieties were not really that exotic. I have a couple of old packs of Ripley's seeds: "Spaghetti Squash" and "World Record Tomatoes". The tomato package says in smaller print "Delicious Tomato Variety" which is not just an advertising blurb. "Delicious" is the variety of tomato that holds the world record. And, if memory serves, they had a watermelon variety which was just Carolina Cross. I don't suppose the sunflower package gives any variety information?

By the way, both of my packages say on the back that they were packed by Page Seed Company of Greene, NY. Their site is Page Seeds. Their Product Procurement page suggests that they don't just pack the seeds, but go out and acquire them for the client as well. There is currently no mention of sunflowers on their site, but you might email info@pageseed.com for information on Ripley's varieties.

Did you try to grow any this past year? If so, then how did you do with them?

I was recently cleaning in the garage and I found another quarter of a package of them. Now I'm up to 2 and a 1/4 packs of them. How the mice didn't find them is beyond me. I'm probably going to plant most them this spring, and save a half a package just in case I have a disaster. Once I save a few heads, I'll have plenty of seeds.