High Country Gardens
Berlandiera lyrata 'Mora County'
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking fragrant, drought-tolerant native blooms.
Discover the unique Berlandiera lyrata 'Mora County', also known as Chocolate Flower. This exclusive perennial delights with a rich, chocolate-like fragrance, especially in the morning. Native to high elevations in New Mexico, it's exceptionally cold-hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 4-9. It blooms prolifically throughout the summer, even in challenging clay soils. This drought-tolerant plant attracts butterflies and bees, making it a valuable addition to any garden. Deadheading can encourage continuous blooming, and it's also deer-resistant.
$15.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3268
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-42%
Below average
Life Cycle
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking unique sensory experiences in their morning landscape
- Xeriscape enthusiasts needing low-maintenance, drought-tolerant native perennials
- Pollinator advocates wanting season-long color for bees and butterflies
Who should skip it
- Fragrance lovers expecting a consistent, all-day aromatic garden experience
- Low-maintenance gardeners who dislike managing aggressive self-seeding plants
- Busy homeowners wanting a hands-off, tidy garden aesthetic
Performance breakdown
Fragrance potency
Distinctive cocoa notes provide a sensory experience unmatched by typical perennials.
Climate adaptability
Exceptional cold hardiness allows for successful growth across diverse regional zones.
Pollinator appeal
Reliably draws bees and butterflies to sustain a healthy garden ecosystem.
Drought resilience
Thrives with minimal supplemental water once established in the landscape.
Maintenance requirements
Low-effort plant that rewards minimal deadheading with extended seasonal blooms.
Soil versatility
Adapts well to challenging clay environments where other wildflowers often struggle.
Key Specs
Life Cycle
Perennial
Mature Height
12-15 inches
Mature Spread
18-24 inches
USDA Growing Zones
4-9
Soil Types
Average Soil, Sandy Soil, Clay Soil, Well-Drained
Watering Needs
Low
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Season
Spring, Summer
Features
- Rich chocolate-scented flowers
- Exceptional cold hardiness
- Drought tolerant and waterwise
- Long blooming season
- Attracts pollinators
- Deer resistant
- Native wildflower
- Low maintenance
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and hardiness of the 'Mora County' Chocolate Flower. A key theme is its remarkable reliability, often thriving even in difficult, arid conditions where other plants fail. Gardeners frequently note the robust health upon arrival and the delightful, strong chocolate fragrance that persists through the season. The plant establishes quickly, offering excellent value as a dependable, low maintenance perennial that delivers on its unique promise.
Know before you buy
Yes, the flowers emit a distinct, cocoa-like fragrance. It is most noticeable in the morning hours, especially on warm, sunny days.
Absolutely. 'Mora County' is well-adapted to challenging soil conditions, including heavy clay, provided the area is not prone to standing water.
This is a low-maintenance perennial, but deadheading spent blooms will significantly encourage the plant to produce new flowers throughout the season.
Yes, it is considered deer-resistant. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, the bitter taste and texture of this species typically discourage deer from grazing on it.
Since this plant has a mounding growth habit and a mature spread of 18 to 24 inches, you should space them at least 20 inches apart to allow for proper airflow.
No, it is highly drought-tolerant. Once the root system is established, it requires very little supplemental watering, making it an excellent choice for waterwise landscapes.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$16