Plants with names that bring to mind chocolate or ice cream flavors always intrigue me, because I have a sweet tooth. But this baptisia has more than just a great name; it has some truly outstanding attributes. ‘Dark Chocolate’ is a newer member of the Decadence® series of baptisias, bred for longer flower stems that rise out of the foliage. ‘Dark Chocolate’ has a 25-inch stem, so the lovely pea-shape blossoms can actually be seen. They are a spectacular near-black, charcoal hue and really stand out from a distance. The plant forms an upright and densely branched mound, always appearing full with lovely blue-green foliage that covers the entire plant. ‘Dark Chocolate’ baptisia could easily be mistaken for a small flowering shrub.

Baptisias in general are known to be tough plants. Many of the ones in my garden are over 20 years old. They are taprooted, which means they don’t transplant easily but are extremely drought tolerant once established. You will generally find that experts recommend planting baptisias, including ‘Dark Chocolate’, in full sun to partial shade. When grown in full sun the plants tend to stand up straight, but in partial shade (which is the best spot in the Deep South) they have to be staked unless you like the Leaning Tower of Pisa look. This plant, along with other baptisias, is a great substitute for the more finicky lupine (Lupinus spp. and cvs., Zones 4–8). Despite its unusual color, ‘Dark Chocolate’ is still a pollinator magnet. The plant seldom needs fertilizing and grows better in deep rich soils but will tolerate poor soils. Here’s another plus: the deer do not seem to browse this plant.

If you do not deadhead in fall, the plant produces an upright cylindrical brown seed head that persists right into the winter. I always liked the sound of the dry pods that rattle on a windy day. Bottom line is that ‘Dark Chocolate’ is easy to grow, requires little maintenance, and is unlike anything else in the garden, which is something we can all really appreciate.

‘Dark chocolate’ Baptisia (Baptisia ‘Dark Chocolate’)

Zones: 4–9

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Native range: North America

—Stephanie Cohen has spent most of her life trialing, speaking about, and teaching all things plants. She is the author of several books and lectures extensively around North America.

Photos: Nancy Ondra. Illustrations: Elara Tanguy.

Sources:

• Jackson & Perkins Company, Hodges, SC; 800-292-4769; jacksonandperkins.com
• Garden Crossings, Zeeland, MI; 616-875-6355; gardencrossings.com

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon

Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd²

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.

Buy at Amazon