First Visit to Chocolate Flower Farm!

16 years ago

Hi.

We were on Whidbey this past week and I was able to visit Chocolate Flower Farm, a chocolate (both virtual and literal) themed nursery started four years ago by a Redmond, WA couple, Marie and Bill. We were the only visitors in the morning (which was hot, hot, hades level hot) and Marie spoke with us for almost two hours, showing us the various plants and telling us about the history of the place, the risks she (the gardener) and Bill (master candle maker -- chocolate scented, of course) took and the problems they overcame. What a wonderful, generous, down-to-earth and generally delightful person we found her to be! She had been out in the garden since 4:30 that a.m., watering the grounds and all the potted plants and starts to protect them from the heat. The plants looked (and smelled!) great, even in the Lawrence of Arabia-ish weather. I didn't buy any plants at the time as was concerned about hauling them back home in the heat and not having time to plant and water them in well before having to go back to the office, but am busy looking them up online and deciding which ones I will purchase in the fall.

The grounds are gorgeous and the farm is only about 1/2 mile from the darling little town of Langely. They also have a shop in town (which we didn't have time to check out)with garden-themed antiques, chocolate candles and soaps and other goodies. Well worth a visit!

Rain

who wishes the wet stuff was coming down right about now)

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Comments (7)

victoriannoire
16 years ago
That sounds like a pretty amazing place! How large are the grounds? Is there a website that would give me more info?
blameitontherain
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi, Victoriannoire.

I forgot to check the box to have any responses sent to me, so just saw your question. Yes, they have a web site: chocolateflowerfarm.com. If you google it, you should also find a few clips and press releases. I think Martha Stewart gave it praise within the first month or two of opening, if you can believe it! The display gardens are not vast, but are well-planned and the smell of chocolate wafts around in big drifts.

Rain
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Embothrium
16 years ago
I've never gotten Chocolate Cosmos to persist, even near Seattle but I know someone else who does. I think I've read that it's good to about 20F. I thought Berlandiera had gone last winter here on Camano but it did come up and even start blooming this past month. That one does smell pretty good to me, the Cosmos has more of a carab kind of an aroma.
blameitontherain
Original Author
16 years ago
Bboy, my Cosmos is just a small specimen in a 6" pot. I plan to store it in the root cellar along with my dahlia tubers over the winter. I agree that Berlandiera has a much "cleaner" chocolate smell. The CFF folks have several of these daisies and the smell is mouthwatering.

Rain
victoriannoire
16 years ago
They have an amazing little place there! if i am ever down in the region i shall have to check it out. i have always loved darker plants as well :)
blameitontherain
Original Author
16 years ago
"i have always loved darker plants as well :)"

Figured you might, what with the "noire" in your name!!

Rain
victoriannoire
16 years ago
hahaha yeah way to take a hint ;) i cant wait to have a bit of earth so i can go to those guys for some seeds, etc :)