Plants for a Chocolate Garden

Do you have a craving for some chocolate but don't want to overindulge? Marie Lincoln and Bill Schlicht have discovered how to sweeten things up in their gardens at the Chocolate Flower Farm in Whidbey Island, Washington. They have designed their garden beds using plants with the colors and scents of chocolate. To create your own chocolate garden, consider using the variety of plants shown below.

Diablo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine') is a deciduous shrub with chocolate-colored foliage. It spreads by underground runners but is generally not invasive. Pinkish-white blooms form in early summer. Once it has finished blooming, clusters of red seed pods form that are quite stunning against the dark foliage. Its exfoliating bark can be enjoyed in the winter. Use it in the back of a perennial border, as a medium-sized hedge or in mass plantings. Grows to eight feet tall and wide. Plant it in a moist, well-draining soil and in full sun to partial shade. Drought tolerant. Also consider the cultivar 'Diablo' (also called 'Monlo'). Hardy to USDA Zones 2 to 7.

Korean angelica

Korean angelica (Angelica gigas) is a stunning, chocolate-colored biennial. It produces only foliage in the first year, but during the second year, large clusters of dark-purple flowers appear on tall, similarly colored stems in summertime. Attracts bees. Use it in the middle to the back of a perennial border. Plants reach four to six feet tall. Plant angelica in a moist, well-draining soil and in full sun to partial shade. Hardy to USDA Zones 4 to 10.

Purple fountain grass

Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') has deep plum-colored foliage all season long. Feathery plumes appear in late summer. Use it in the middle of a perennial border or grow it in containers. Plants reach up to three to four feet tall and about half as wide. It grows best in moist, well-draining soil and full sun. Drought tolerant. This cultivar of fountain grass is tender, so in many parts of the country it's treated as an annual. Hardy to USDA Zones 9 to 10.

New Zealand flax

New Zealand flax (Phormium 'Platt's Black'). Not to be confused with purple fountain grass, this flax has wide, almost rigid, almost-black blades. Use it in the middle to back of a perennial border or plant it in containers. Grows to four feet tall and as wide. Plant it in full sun and a moist, well-draining soil. Drought tolerant. Hardy to USDA Zones (8)9 to 10.

Carex

The genus Carex offers a variety of chocolate- and toffee-colored ornamental grasses, such as C. comans 'Milk Chocolate', C. tenuiculmis 'Cappuccino' and C. flagellifera 'Toffee Twist'. All of these sedges are coppery brown and appear almost dead. Use in containers or plant en masse in the front of a perennial border. Plants are about one to two feet tall and as wide. Grow in a moist, well-draining soil and in full sun to light shade. Hardy to USDA Zones 7 to 10.

Australia canna

Australia canna (Canna 'Australia'). This tropical plant is certainly a conversation piece in the garden, especially when its stunning scarlet-red flowers are open in contrast with the dark-reddish-brown foliage. The chocolaty foliage adds height to the back of a perennial border. In cooler climates, dig and store plants indoors for the winter. Plants grow to five feet tall and about half as wide. Grow it in full sun and a moist, well-draining soil. Hardy to USDA Zones 7 to 10.

Sunflower

Black sunflower (Helianthus, selected cultivars). This sunflower adds a burst of dark red at tall heights. Plants reach up to six feet. Consider using cultivars such as 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Prado Red' or 'Velvet Queen.'

Chocolate cosmos

Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus). With very few plants quite like it, chocolate cosmos produces deep-burgundy-red flowers that emit an aroma of chocolate. It grows to two to three feet tall and wide. Use it in the front to middle of a perennial border where the fragrance can be enjoyed. It also makes an excellent addition to a cutflower garden. Plant in a moist, well-draining soil and in full sun. It may require staking. In cooler climates, this tender perennial can be dug and stored like tender bulbs. Hardy to USDA Zones (7)8 to 10.

Chocolate daisy

Chocolate daisy (Berlanderia lyrata). In close competition with chocolate cosmos, the chocolate daisy rivals the chocolaty scent. The little yellow, daisy-like flowers open up at night and release the fragrance in the morning. Plant it in the front of a perennial border where the fragrance can be enjoyed and use the dried seed pods in arrangements. Plants grow to about one foot tall and wide. Plant in full sun and a moist, well-draining soil, although it's tolerant of a range of soil conditions. Drought tolerant. Insect-friendly plant. Hardy to USDA Zones 4 to 10.

Chocolate cherry tomato

Chocolate cherry tomato (Lycopersicon 'Chocolate Cherry'). Don't be fooled by this one! Chocolate cherry tomato does, in fact, taste like a flavorful cherry tomato, but the brown hue of the cute little fruits gives them the look of shiny chocolate-covered tomatoes. Treat as an annual crop.

Chocolate corn

Chocolate corn (Zea mays 'Mayes Double Red'). From the stems and husks to the ears of the corn, this cultivar has an unusual deep red color. Use it in dried arrangements. It's also edible but doesn't taste like chocolate. Treat as an annual crop.