Chocolate Flower also called as Berlandiera lyrata, Chocolate daisy, Lyreleaf greeneyes, is a species of the Berlandiera genus. This bright yellow, daisy-like flower will add a ray of light and color to any garden, with the flowers which are famous for their chocolate fragrance, your mornings just got a little sweeter!
Chocolate Flower also called as Berlandiera lyrata, Chocolate daisy, Lyreleaf greeneyes, is a species of the Berlandiera genus. This bright yellow, daisy-like flower will add a ray of light and color to any garden, with the flowers which are famous for their chocolate fragrance, your mornings just got a little sweeter! Enjoy its sweet scent, colorful display, and long-lasting blooms in your landscape from the first sign of summer to the first frost of fall.
IDENTIFY CHOCOLATE FLOWER - BERLANDIERA LYRATA
Chocolate Flower is ntive to the plains and grasslands of the Southwest United States from 4000 to 6000 feet above sea level. Its range extends all the way to Kansas, as well as into northern Mexico.
It is a clump-forming, spreading, herbaceous perennial, which sometimes grows to 2 feet in height and the same in spread, that forms a rosette of medium green, fiddle-shaped leaves. Masses of yellow blooms from May to frost that fill the air with the aroma of chocolate. In areas that freeze, the flowers bloom at night from spring until frost. When the plant freezes, it will "seem to disappear" with the roots alive, but dormant in the soil and returns with a larger crown each spring, ultimately reaching about two feet across and about 18 inches high. In frost-free areas, it will bloom year-round.
The yellow daisy flowers with maroon centers are borne on slender stems held above the foliage. The flowers offer up their cocoa scent in the morning and drop their yellow petals each day. The scent is strongest in the early morning before the temperature rises. At noon, the rays may close up with full sun and high temperatures, but open again when the afternoon becomes cooler. Butterflies are also attracted to their nectar.
Berlandiera lyrata's compact size makes it ideal for use in perennial borders, or in small patio areas, where the heady fragrance can be enjoyed. Old flower heads can be removed to prolong the blooming.
CHOCOLATE FLOWER - BERLANDIERA LYRATA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Chocolate Flower can be grown in full to part sun location. Plant it near the deck or other seating area to fully enjoy the fragrance. It is as tough as it is desirable. When the hot, dry days of summer cause many garden beauties to hang their pretty heads, the plant keeps up a continuous show of its bright yellow flowers with the rich scent of chocolate.
Temperature:
Berlandiera lyrata is hardy from zones 4 to 9 and grows in elevations as high as 7000 feet. It can tolerant of all but highest summer heat, will freeze to ground in coldest climates and comes back from its roots..
Substrate and growing media:
Chocolate daisy are easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun but prefers slightly alkaline, sandy or gravely soils. Plants have a tap root and should not be divided or transplanted once established.
Watering:
The plants tolerate a wide range of conditions but will stay more compact when allowed to dry out between waterings. Keep regularly watered for the first growing season to establish the roots. Infrequent but deep watering thereafter. The drier the setting, the more compact the plant. Additional water can result in leggy plants. It is drought tolerant, but best if watered once or twice a month in part shade, weekly in full sun.
Fertilizer:
If soil is poor, scratch in a couple of inches of compost prior to planting and each spring, taking care not to disturb newly sprouted plants.
Pruning:
Care with 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.
Propagation:
Chocolate Flower will spread and naturalize as well as propagate by seed. 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.
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