Gardening information for the Chocolate Flower (Berlandiera lyrata), a water-wise perennial.

1. *Chocolate flower – Berlandiera lyrata (ber-land-dee-AIR-uh lie-RAY-tuh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: SE Arizona and Colorado, most of New Mexico and west Texas from 2,200 to 7,000 feet
(670-2,100 m); south into Mexico. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, limestone soils, often on
disturbed sites (plowed fields, roadsides) or plains/mesa grasslands with mesquite, oak and juniper.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Mounded herbaceous perennial or sub-shrub with slender branches from a deep taproot. Leaves
gray-green; darker above, lighter below. Leaf shape variable: obovate to spatulate, often lyre-
shaped, sometimes lobed and/or toothed. Dies back to taproot in cold climates (USDA Zone 4-10).
Blooms/fruits: Blooms from late spring through fall, or year-round in warmer climates. Flowers
have sunflower heads with usually 8 yellow ray flowers (female) and maroon disk flowers (male).
Flowers open during cool parts of day; close or ray flowers drop in heat. Disk flowers release the
scent of dark chocolate, particularly in early/mid-morning. Very unique; heavenly scent!
Uses in the garden: Makes a nice border for water-wise beds or along paths. Good in rock gardens
or with native wildflowers and grasses. Excellent choice for scented garden or habitat garden. Disk
flowers can be used as seasoning. Charming, old-fashioned look. Good in hot, dry parts of garden.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native yellow sunflowers.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat: attracts native pollinator insects, hummingbirds. Seed-eating
birds like finches like the seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun; takes heat
Soil Any well-drained soil; pH: 6.0-8.0 or perhaps a little higher
Water Regular water first year; infrequent, deep watering thereafter (CO Water Zone 1 or 2)
Fertilizer Little or none needed. Can give dose of ½ strength fertilizer in fall.
Other Gravel mulch or none.
Management: Choose hot dry site. Resents being moved (taproot). Cut back to 2-3 inches in early-
mid-spring. Deadhead to encourage longer bloom – or let it go to seed. Easy; thrives on neglect!
Propagation: from seed: outdoors, spring to fall. May bet better germination with cold, moist treatment.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 11, 20, 23, 25 8/4/20
* Colorado native, but not native to Western Colorado © Project SOUND