Grow It
Of cocoa offers reasons to linger.
Head to the garden for a chocolate bouquet.
Treat yourself to a garden of desserts with plants that look and smell like chocolate. Warm brown leaves and flowers show off shades from tan to dark purple to nearly black. Chocolate plants can complement—or provide a luscious contrast to—deep, bright or pastel colors. Choose a profusion of chocolaty richness and your senses will be delighted.
Chocolate Shogun Astilbe
If you’re looking for a hardy perennial to plant in moist soil, go with Chocolate Shogun astilbe. It makes itself right at home in damp, shady areas. Plus, it’s resistant to deer and rabbits. Pale pink flower spikes curve over dark, lustrous leaves. Find it: whiteflowerfarm.com
Chocolate Ruffles Coral Bells
Chocolate Ruffles is one of many coral bells hybrids in an array of tempting colors. Coppery leaves with pink undersides change to chocolate with burgundy below. Slender stems hold delicate white flowers above foliage mounds. Plant in part shade. Find it: calgaryplants.com
Hot Cocoa Floribunda Rose
Add a flash of orangey chocolate to the garden with the Hot Cocoa floribunda rose. Dark, glossy leaves set off large, ruffly double flowers. You might notice a hint of lavender color in the rose as well.
Find it: heirloomroses.com
Chocolate Cosmos
Tall, slender stems carry cupshaped chocolate cosmos flowers well above the greenery. Deep maroon blooms make gorgeous cut flowers. They look like dark chocolate and smell like it, too. Plant them in full sun. Remove spent flowers for a nonstop supply from summer into fall. Find it: dutchgardens.com
Chocolate Mint
Plant Chocolate Mint in a cool spot with morning sun so you can savor its delicious scent. Savor the flavor in soothing tea. Use it to pep up baked goods, flavor ice cream or garnish cocktails. But be sure to keep this peppermint in a pot—it spreads! Find it: mountainvalleygrowers.com
Chocolate Mint Coleus
An easy-to-grow annual, Chocolate Mint coleus thrives in full to part shade. Brilliant green edges line its dark burgundy leaves. Start with plants, seeds or cuttings. It grows well in a pot, a window box or a flower bed. Find it: burpee.com
Chocolate Scented Daisy
If aroma is what you’re after, try this Southwest native also known as chocolate flower. This little gem’s fragrance is strongest in the morning. Later in the day, its petals close or drop. New bright yellow blooms open at night. Find it: mountainvalley growers.com
Chocolate Soldier Columbine
Purple-brown and green blossoms nod on the arching stalks of Chocolate Soldier columbine, and its blue-green foliage forms a ferny mound. Plant this sweet-smelling heirloom in sun or part shade for a delightful look in either borders or beds. Find it: nichegardens.com
Karma Choc Dahlia
Dark flowers, stems and foliage add up to one enticing plant. Karma Choc dahlia also has a light chocolate scent. Large, long-lasting blooms make magnificent cut flowers. Float one in a dish to create a simple yet stunning centerpiece. Find it: longfield-gardens.com
Milk Chocolate Carex
Although it looks like ornamental grass, Milk Chocolate carex is actually a sedge. That means it’s more tolerant of shade and moisture. Its soft, arching leaves display a hint of pink that turns to orange in fall. Find it: chocolateflowerfarm.com