Chocolate Scented Daisy: Tips For Growing Chocolate Flower Plants

Yellow Chocolate Flower Plants
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(Image credit: Quinn Dombrowski)

Growing chocolate flower plants (Berlandiera lyrata) in the garden sends the scent of chocolate wafting through the air. The pleasant fragrance and yellow, daisy-like flowers are just a couple of reasons to grow the chocolate scented daisy. Berlandiera chocolate flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other important pollinators to the garden.

Planting and Care of Chocolate Flower

An herbaceous perennial, the chocolate scented daisy sometimes grows to 2 feet (61 cm.) in height and the same in spread. Growing chocolate flower plants with abundant growth may take on the form of a sprawling groundcover, so allow plenty of room when planting the chocolate scented daisy. Chocolate flower care can involve pruning and clipping the plant to keep it within boundaries. The plant can be trimmed back by one-third in summer if it begins to look untidy, followed by another show of the fragrant blooms. If you're growing chocolate flower plants to feed the birds, leave the seed heads intact. Berlandiera chocolate flowers grow well in the arid and semi-arid areas of the southwest. Start the chocolate scented daisy from seed in fall or in spring. Although somewhat drought resistant when established, seeds must be kept moist for germination. Chocolate flower care may involve watering regularly for the best show of blooms on growing chocolate flower plants. Blooms may appear as early as April and last until autumn. Plants are hardy to 10 degrees F. (-12 C.). Plant the chocolate scented daisy in a full to part sun location. Plant it near the deck or another seating area to fully enjoy the fragrance. Care of chocolate flowers is simple and worthwhile, as the plant provides bright blooms with chocolate stripes underneath the petals and interesting, ornamental brown seedpods. Try growing chocolate flower plants in your garden or flower bed. You can even add it to a chocolate garden. After all, most everyone loves the smell of chocolate.

Becca Badgett
Writer

Becca Badgett was a regular contributor to Gardening Know How for ten years. Co-author of the book How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden, Becca specializes in succulent and cactus gardening.