Water-Wise Gardening

California-Friendly Plant: Chocolate Flower

Chocoholics beware - this plant may cause increased cravings due to its chocolaty aroma.

The Chocolate Flower is a unique Southwest native that will add some enticing fragrances to your garden, and do so while using very little water.

A member of the daisy family, the Chocolate Flower’s bloom has bright yellow petals with a maroon center. Its green stem grows more than a foot high, and the flower adds a great wildflower-style appearance to any casual garden setting. Another unique aspect of the Chocolate Flower is that it is a night bloomer. How about a whiff of deliciousness as you drift off to sleep, or to greet you in the morning?

The seeds of the Chocolate Flower can be planted at any time, with blooms appearing in the summer. In winter the plant dies off somewhat, but rest assured a large, flagrant flower will return each and every summer.