I have been keeping a close eye on a particular plant I have growing in a container on my deck. I have been watching it closely because I knew it was going to bloom any day now. Today was finally the day!
I grew this plant several years ago and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, I had to leave it behind when we moved. I was very excited when a little over a month ago I spotted it for sale at a nursery. And you could tell the nursery had just got them in because they were still little and fresh looking.
It bloomed today and this morning I was having the kids go out with me to smell the deep dark flower. The boys were amazed at how much it smells like chocolate. Yes, chocolate. The chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus), really does smell like chocolate when it flowers. How could you not love something that smells that good in the garden? It truly smells like you just opened a jar of cocoa powder! The flowers are pretty as well; a very deep, rich maroon.
It is not at all like the annual cosmos I also have growing in the garden. This cosmos is a tender perennial, hardy to zones 6-10. Its leaves are not feathery like the annual cosmos. I have it in a container for now but eventually would like to move it to a permanent location in the garden. Its flowers are also nice cut.
I found a nice little site that has a bit more information of this fun plant if you would like to read some more about it.
Dang it. Now I want that plant. I wonder if it would be hardy in here in zone 6b. Maybe, right on the edge. I love the smell of chocolate. I have my perennial boarder mulched with cocoa hulls. When you first put them on, the whole garden smells heavenly.
Wow…I’ve never seen/heard of a chocolate smelling flower before. It’s beautiful…wish I could smell it!
Daphne- Oh, you should get one! It’s so nice. The link I gave mentioned something about being able to dig up the tubers like you would dahlias. Maybe you could try that? The flowers have nice long stems that would be perfect for cut flowers. You could bring that yummy chocolate scent indoors!
Stephanie- I wish you could smell it too! It’s heavenly. If only I could make the picture scratch and sniff!