Plant Profiles

Sweet Scents

If the smell of chocolate wafts through the air on warm evenings, the tiny yellow daisy-flowered addition to your garden may be the source. This often overlooked, low-growing perennial has more to offer than just its hypnotic scent.

Butterflies are drawn to the lovely flat maroon centers, and when the petals fade, the ornamental green seed pod is still attractive.

Chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata) has blooms the size of quarters and is native to the Southwest. It tolerates full, partial or reflected sun and has low water needs. Native inhabitants of the Southwest used this plant as a flavoring long before the Aztecs discovered the cocoa bean.

Plant in early spring or fall in well-mulched soil to keep the roots moist. It looks great with other petite perennials such as verbena, wine cups and gaillardia. It also works well en masse for a narrow border entry. Prune back in winter to yield a fuller plant next season.

Make sure to plant chocolate flowers near your favorite spot for sunset cocktails or morning coffee!