Description
Form: Herb.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Leaf retention: Evergreen in frost-free regions.
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid, depending on water.
Mature Size: 1' high and 2' wide.
Flowers: The rays are yellow on top and yellow and red striped underneath. The tiny,
yellow-topped, dark orange florets, in the green center, have edible stamens with a chocolate
fragrance. The scent is strongest in the early morning before the temperature rises. At noon,
the rays may close up with full sun and high temperatures, but open again when the afternoon
becomes cooler. In this compound flower, the rays are female flowers that produce seed and
the center disk florets are male flowers that produce fragrance and pollen. If there are
eight rays there will be eight seeds.
Bloom: Spring to fall.
Fruit: Seed that develops at the edge of the disk where each ray attaches.
Leaves: Pale gray-green in full sun, green in part shade, many-lobed, at the base
of the plant and part-way up the flower stalks. The leaves and stalks are plain and
unattractive in full sun.
Stems: No thorns. The slender flower stalks rise above the basal leaves.
Roots: This plant has a deep tap root which makes transplanting difficult.
Wildlife: Attracts beneficial insects, butterflies, and birds.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Arizona through North Carolina, Colorado to Missouri, south into Mexico.
Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 4-10. This plant dies to the ground in freezes and comes back
from its roots.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Water after becoming established: Once or twice a month in part shade. Weekly in
full sun. Avoid frequent watering to keep the plant from becoming leggy.
Overly wet soil induces root rot.
Soil: Well drained, dry to slightly moist, low organic content, pH 6.1-7.8 (slightly
acidic to slightly alkaline). It gets leggy in enriched or fertilized soil. This plant is
moderately saline tolerant.
Mulch: Use only inorganic mulch, such as gravel, if at all.
Planting: This flower can be planted in groups for a stronger fragrance.
Prune: If it gets too leggy, cut the flower stalks off. The plant will re-flower.
Cut off spent flowers to provoke continuous blooming. This plant survives mowing.
Litter: Low except for pruning.
Propagation: Seed collected from the flower head. This plant easily self-seeds.
Uses: Ornamental, fragrance garden.
Comments
This plant is a member of the Aster family (Asteraceae). Other common names are Chocolate
Scented Daisy, and Greeneyes.
Do you have additional information or a different experience for these plants that you would
like to share? Email info@GardenOracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.