Fragrant Wildflowers
Heirloom Chocolate Daisy
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Fragrant Wildflowers
Heirloom Chocolate Daisy
These cheerful native wildflowers have a tantalizing chocolate scent that wafts through the garden as they bloom in the sun. Chocolate daisies provide a continuous show of deliciously fragrant little butter yellow blossoms, each the size of a quarter. Plants are happily deer resistant, bloom hard all season and return every spring to perfume the garden. Chocolate daisies attract pollinators and butterflies all summer long. Who knew they love chocolate as much as we do!
PERENNIAL
Hardy to Zone 4
Summer Blooming
Frost Hardy
TO SOW DIRECTLY OUTDOORS
In spring, several weeks after last frost date, sow in a sunny garden spot with excellent drainage. Sow 2 inches apart and cover lightly. Keep moist but not soggy while awaiting germination. When seedlings are well established, thin to 6 inches apart so plants have room to mature.
TO START EARLY INDOORS
Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before night temps are above 50°F (10°C). Sow seeds 2 to 3 apart in a container of seed starting mix and cover very lightly. Keep seedbed moist but not soggy while awaiting germination. When outdoor weather is warm and settled both day and night, plant seedlings 6 inches apart in a sunny, well-drained garden spot.
GROWING NOTES
Chocolate daisies, native to the mesas and plains of the Southwest, thrive in average soil, but require good drainage to thrive; if soil is heavy clay, add organic material to improve drainage before sowing. Plant in large groups in full sun near where you walk for maximum fragrance impact. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage reblooming. Blossoms are a important source of nectar for pollinators and beneficial insects. Plants die to the ground in winter, returning in spring and gaining in size over the seasons.
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May - June
|
March - April
|
Full sun
|
2 inches apart
cover lightly |
10 - 14 days
|
12 - 15 inches
|
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May - June
|
March - April
|
Full sun
|
2 inches apart
cover lightly |
10 - 14 days
|
12 - 15 inches
|
Cold Winters
May - June
|
Mild Winters
March - April
|
Sun/Shade
Full sun
|
Sow Seeds
2 inches apart
cover lightly |
Days to Germinate
10 - 14 days
|
Mature Height
12 - 15 inches
|