Chocolate Garden

Bring the rich scent of chocolate into your garden with these beautiful plants.
By: Marie Hofer

There can be a world of chocolate in your garden. I'm not talking about the plants that look milky brown and have chocolate in the name -- 'Chocolate Ruffles' heuchera (brown foliage) or the 'Chocolate Soldier' columbine (brown flowers) or even 'Chocolate Chip' ajuga (its new leaves are brown). No, we're talking about walking through the garden and smelling chocolate. A sniff of the plants below can be very satisfying. Unfortunately though, if aroma makes you hungry, you'll need to carry a chocolate bar with you. The only two of these that are edible (the geranium and the mint) have only the vaguest of chocolaty flavors.

Chocolate Flower

chocolate-flower-s4x3

(Berlandiera lyrata)

The chocolaty aroma that wafts from these dark-eyed daisies is best in the morning. A wildflower that's native to the Southwest, the chocolate flower thrives on minimal water. In moist, humid climates, try planting in containers; that will also allow you to place the plant where you can best appreciate its fragrance. This hardy perennial is short-lived but freely reseeds.

Chocolate-Mint Geranium

(Pelargonium tomentosum 'Chocolate Mint')

Scented geraniums come in apple, pineapple, orange and even pink champagne, so obviously a chocolate-mint was needed, too. The foliage, not the flowers, carry the fragrance. Enjoy as an annual during the growing season and then bring inside for the winter.

Chocolate Mint

chocolate_chocmint

(Mentha x piperita 'Chocolate Mint')

Call the fragrance on this mint nine parts mint to one part chocolate. Like others in its family, this mint spreads aggressively via rhizomes. If you want to keep it inbounds, plant in containers or install ground barriers. Mint is tolerant of almost any soil, but in moist, rich soil, growth will be rampant.

Chocolate Cosmos

chocolate-cosmos-s4x3

(Cosmos atrosanguineus)

Velvety, black-maroon flowers give off a wonderful chocolate scent from midsummer to fall. This plant needs full sun and well-drained soil with even moisture. In spring, plant tubers 3 feet apart in full sun. In the fall, treat as you would a dahlia; lift and store for the winter. Enjoy the aroma but don't eat: This plant is toxic.

Not on the list:
Somehow the sweet shrub (Calycanthus floridus) has gained the reputation for having a chocolate aroma. Not so. The brown-maroon flowers of the sweetshrub have a lovely fragrance, but it's fruity (or sometimes spicy). The other common names for this large deciduous shrub: strawberry bush, spicebush and Carolina allspice.

Source for chocolate flower: Mountain Valley Growers

Next Up

What’s the Difference Between an Annual and a Perennial?

Should you pick annuals or perennials when planting your garden? Here's a rundown on the differences between these two types of plants and the pros and cons of each.

Petunia Flowers: Planting and Caring for Petunias

Easy-care petunias can't get enough of the sun. Learn how to grow petunia flowers in pots, hanging baskets or beds for vibrant summer color and get tips on how to care for wilting petunias.

Planting and Growing Garden Phlox

Learn how to plant, grow and care for this perennial charmer in your garden.

Are Mums Perennials?

Learn which mums you can count on to color your landscape for years to come.

How to Plant, Grow and Care for Chives

Learn how to plant, grow, harvest and use chives. This popular perennial herb is easy to grow and has many benefits in the kitchen as well as in the garden.

How to Grow Thyme

Discover unique types of thyme — both creeping thyme and upright thyme varieties — and learn how to grow and care for this useful herb in your garden.

Salvia Plants: Growing and Caring for Ornamental Sage

With over 900 species — annuals and perennials — it's easy to find a variety of low-maintenance salvia for your yard.

Growing Carnation Flowers

Wonderfully fragrant and old-fashioned, carnation plants bring scent-sational beauty to the garden.

Planting and Growing Russian Sage

Learn how to plant Russian sage and use his drought-tolerant perennial.

How to Grow Dianthus Flowers

Cottage garden favorites including Sweet William, cheddar pinks and carnations will add an attractive pop of color to any yard.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.