Chocolate, as it is known in its popular form, is made from cacao seeds extracted from the cacao tree; however, chocolate is also available in other forms for the garden. There are edible chocolate herbs and vegetables, chocolate-scented flowers and chocolate-colored plants and flowers too. Incorporating chocolate, one way or another, into the garden is not difficult!
Edible Chocolate Herbs and Vegetables
Edible chocolate herbs and vegetables are not the same as chocolate made from cacao beans, either botanically or in taste and appearance. The taste of edible chocolate herbs and vegetables varies. Although edible as a vegetable or herb, many chocolate herbs and vegetables are only chocolate in color. Many are used in culinary dishes or as flavoring in recipes. Consult individual plant profiles for further information on uses for edible chocolate herbs and vegetables. An example of edible chocolate herbs and vegetables include:
- chocolate cherry tomato
- chocolate bell pepper
- chocolate mint herb
- chocolate corn
Edible Chocolate Flowers
There are also some species of chocolate flowers that are edible too. Some are in common usage and practice today. Others, such as the chocolate lily, have been used in ethnobotany, for centuries. Common edible chocolate flowers that also add some chocolate color to the garden include:
- chocolate nasturtium
- frosted chocolate viola
- chocolate calendula.
Chocolate-Colored Plants and Flowers
Many plants and flowers are only chocolate in color. However, add chocolate colored plants and flowers to complementary pinks, reds, and yellow for a diversion of color from the normal. “Chocolate”-colored flowers may vary in shades from deep maroon and even almost black to lighter hues of chocolate brown, depending on plant species. A plant may have chocolate-colored flowers or chocolate-colored foliage. Chocolate colored plants and flowers for the garden include:
- chocolate hollyhock
- chocolate dahlia
- chocolate day lily.
Fragrant Chocolate Flowers
Perhaps the second best option to the taste of real chocolate is that of scented chocolate flowers! Although real chocolate is not extracted from fragrant chocolate flowers, some species of flowers do emit scents that resemble the fragrance of true chocolate; examples of chocolate fragrant flowers include:
- chocolate cosmos
- chocolate flower
- chocolate geranium
- chocolate soldiers columbine
Ideas for a Chocolate-Themed Garden
This article contains a few ideas and an introduction to chocolate flowers and plants to use in a chocolate-themed garden. It is best to consult individual plant profiles as to the suitability of each plant for use, the information of which is too concise to put into a single article. Botanically, chocolate flowers and plants are no relation to the cacao tree, the source of true chocolate. Check botanical names of each plant species too for correct identification. However, chocolate plants and flowers add interest, color and even chocolate fragrance to create a garden with a difference, and are an excellent idea for a true chocoholic!
References:
- HGTV website, Plants for a Chocolate Garden, accessed 13 September, 2010
- Chicago Tribune/Chicago Homes web site, Add Some Chocolate to Your Garden, Sean Conway, accessed 13 September, 2010
Sharon Falsetto - Sharon Falsetto is a business owner, certified clinical aromatherapist & professional writer with a life-long interest in plants.
