Salpiglossis ‘Chocolate Royale’

5 Comments

I grew these annual flowers last year and saved their seed with the hope that they would be viable — and then spring rolled around and I forgot all about them amidst the millions of other seeds that needed to be started.

So when I happened upon ready-to-go transplants, 3 for $10 at a local garden shop, I decided to splurge. They were so gorgeous last year; I had to have them in the garden again.

I have grown other salpiglossis flowers from seed, and while they were lovely, like stained glass married to a soft watercolour painting, they do not compare with the velvety softness of ‘Chocolate Royale.’ These large blooms are so rich, dark and dreamy, I half expect them to smell like a steaming glass of hot cocoa.

They don’t. But they get me every time.

Gayla Trail
Gayla is a writer, photographer, and former graphic designer with a background in the Fine Arts, cultural criticism, and ecology. She is the author, photographer, and designer of best-selling books on gardening, cooking, and preserving.

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5 thoughts on “Salpiglossis ‘Chocolate Royale’”

  1. I vote to plant the seed now, even if it’s late. Maybe they’ll bloom a bit later in the summer, so you’ll have a double do of these lovely flowers. Of course, I’m in San Diego where the exact date does not matter much and sometimes flowers get really confused about the date. Last fall I bought an Amaryllis with the intention of forcing it for Christmas bloom. It has not bloomed yet, and has recently put out some leafy growth. Typical confused in San Diego flower.

    Julie

  3. Excellent!! I had seen these once before but could never remember the name to ask about for them at the nurseries. Thanks for posting. I am going to hunt some down.
    -Julie

  5. Gayla, I’ve just discovered your books and I am so excited. A good friend of mine loaned me your herb book and I just love it! I’ll be ordering all three books. I was reading your comment on chive vinegar yesterday evening and immediately ran out and picked my chive flowers. Some were a little long in the tooth, but they are soaking right now!! I’ve gardened for many years. Flowers, vegetables, fruit and herbs, but I’d like to get more seriously into herbs. Right now I have chives, oregano, basil, lemon balm, sage, rosemary and three kinds of mint.
    Thanks for the book!!

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