Chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata 'Mora County Mix')

Overview

Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ offers gardeners a unique introduction to xeriscaping with its charming, fragrant blossoms. Commonly known as Chocolate flower, this cultivar is highly valued for its adaptability across a wide range of conditions, especially heat and dryness once established. The bright yellow, daisy-like flowers emit a distinct chocolate scent, making it a sensory highlight in any sunny border.

As an herbaceous perennial, the Chocolate flower establishes well and provides reliable summer interest. The ‘Mora County Mix’ selection specifically brings enhanced cold hardiness, thriving in zones as cool as 4, which broadens its appeal significantly compared to the species type. Its compact structure and low maintenance requirements make Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ an excellent choice for sustainable and informal landscape designs.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant contributes positively to local ecology. It is highly attractive to various insect pollinators, and the seed heads left on the plant in autumn provide beneficial winter sustenance for birds. The tough nature of Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ ensures it remains standing even when other, more demanding plants falter in summer heat.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 1.75-2 ft
• Bloom Time: May to frost
• Bloom Description: Yellow with green bracts
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Dry to medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ in the spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, ensuring locations receive full sun exposure for the best flowering performance. While it tolerates some light shade, consistent sunlight promotes the strongest stems and abundant bloom cycles. This plant thrives in average conditions but strongly prefers well-drained soils, leaning toward the dry or even slightly alkaline, sandy, or gravelly types.

Establishment requires regular irrigation during the first year to help the long taproot settle securely, which is key to its famous drought tolerance. After establishment, supplemental water is rarely needed, though prolonged drought may slightly reduce flower production. Avoid overwatering, as overly moist soil is the primary cause of root rot in this otherwise robust species.

Maintenance for Chocolate flower is generally low. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage reblooming throughout the season. Due to the deep, drought-resisting taproot, division is strongly discouraged as it rarely succeeds and damages the main plant significantly. A heavy pruning session in early spring can refresh the structure and promote vigorous new growth before the flowering season begins.

Landscape Uses

Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ excels in informal horticultural settings where its tough disposition can shine. It is an ideal choice for naturalized areas, seamlessly integrating into wildflower meadows or sunny, dry slopes where competition is moderate. Consider using the Chocolate flower as an informal edger along paths or driveways where the hot, dry conditions often encountered in these zones are typical.

For perennial borders, place this plant toward the middle or back, as its one to two-foot height provides good structure without overwhelming smaller front-of-border companions. Because of its tolerance for dry, shallow, and rocky soils, it pairs beautifully with other robust, sun-loving perennials like certain Sedums, Rudbeckia, or native prairie grasses that share similar low-water requirements.

The unique fragrance of the blooms makes it an excellent candidate for planting near seating areas or walkways where the pleasant chocolate aroma can be enjoyed, particularly in the morning hours. The persistent green seed heads also provide textural contrast later in the season, offering visual persistence long after the primary bloom cycle subsides.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant

Noteworthy Characteristics

Berlandiera lyrata, commonly called chocolate flower (also known as lyreleaf green eyes) features aromatic, night-blooming, daisy-like flowers with yellow rays and green cup-like bracts that smell distinctly of chocolate in the morning air. ‘Mora County Mix’ is a cold-hardy selection, noted for its compact clumps and prolific blooming, often continuing until the first frost. The stiff, cupped green calyces remain after petals drop, resembling a “green eye,” and the seed heads offer late-season interest for birds.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Drought
• Clay Soil
• Dry Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil

Potential Problems

This plant generally remains free from severe insect infestations or widespread disease issues when sited correctly. The primary potential threat to Chocolate flower is root rot, which develops exclusively if the soil remains perpetually waterlogged or overly moist, especially in poorly draining heavy clay soils that are constantly irrigated. Gardeners should diligently avoid overwatering to prevent this issue. Deer naturally tend to avoid consumption of Berlandiera lyrata.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ suitable for?

The ‘Mora County Mix’ selection of Chocolate flower is notably cold hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 4 through 9.

How large does Chocolate flower grow?

This herbaceous perennial typically matures to a height between 1 and 1.5 feet, spreading outward to cover an area of 1.75 to 2 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ need?

This plant requires full sun for optimal performance, though it can tolerate brief periods of light afternoon shade in the hottest climates.

When does Chocolate flower bloom?

Blooms appear reliably from May and continue intermittently until the first hard frost, presenting as yellow flowers with green bracts.

Conclusion

The inclusion of Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ brings reliable, low-water color and a surprising fragrance to dry, sunny garden pockets. Its exceptional drought tolerance combined with proven landscape hardiness ensures that the Chocolate flower remains a resilient and celebrated Texas native throughout the garden season. Before planting, confirm that your site aligns with USDA Zones 4-9 and verify soil drainage is adequate to maximize the success of this unique perennial.

Wildlife Benefits

The blooms of Chocolate flower are highly attractive, acting as reliable nectar sources for numerous insect pollinators throughout the hot summer months. While the flowers close or drop petals by midday, the strong morning aroma draws in a steady stream of beneficial insects.

Furthermore, leaving the spent flower structures intact through the fall provides a crucial, accessible food source for many seed-eating birds as winter approaches. This adds a functional wildlife dimension to the already excellent aesthetic qualities of Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’.

Propagation Tips

The easiest method for increasing your stock of Berlandiera lyrata ‘Mora County Mix’ is through direct sowing of seeds. The plant readily self-seeds in the garden if spent seed heads are left standing past the growing season. While division is generally unsuccessful due to the specialized, deep taproot crucial for drought resistance, starting new plants from seed allows you to maintain the integrity of established, mature specimens.