Garden DesignTypes of Flowers

Dark and Elegant Flowers to Add to Your Garden This Year

If you are looking to add a touch of elegance to your garden, then having a bed of darkly colored flowers is what you need. Even though this color connotes a negative vibe, having the right amount will instantly add zest to your garden.

Many gardeners will pick more vibrant colors to match the atmosphere of their house. If you already have a selection of bright colors like red, orange, and yellow, adding a few darker flowers will add some contrast and highlight the entire garden.

They are typically different shades of dark purple, maroon, deep burgundy, or even red. These types of plants or flowers can transform your garden in a very different way.

Queen of the Night

The Queen of the Night is actually a tulip that has a deep maroon hue, but they look dark enough to be mistaken as black. We’re often used to the bright colors of tulips that scream tropical sunset with their orange, tangerine, yellow, and red hues. Imagine having this in your tulip bed with pinks and whites. This combination will definitely stand out and give your garden that touch of uniqueness you are looking for.

One of the best features of this flower is that it is generally low-maintenance and is quite easy to grow. It’s an excellent plant for beginners, but you need to be wary of the weather conditions of your region. The Queen of the Night usually blooms during mid to late spring in USDA zones 3-8.

Source: Kath821 on Flickr

Onyx Odyssey

The Onyx Odyssey, also known as the Helleborus, is recognized for its unique deep burgundy to almost black hue. These flowers can grow practically anywhere. Place them in a flower bed or even in a large pot. Just be sure that they have access to lots of sun and air. They grow best in moist soil, which is why it’s essential to water them enough but not so much that their roots will rot. These flowers bloom early in the springtime and adapt well to USDA zones 5-9.

Before the Storm

These flowers are part of the iris family. Irises are commonly seen in parks and are not that hard to miss, but the variant with a deep eggplant hue is rare since it is entirely new. It is also more fragrant compared to its brighter counterparts. If you want to grow these lovely flowers in your garden, be sure to provide them with lots of sun and keep them in a pot with well-draining soil. Their roots are quite sensitive and would quickly rot with too much water.

Source: F. D. Richards on Flickr

Physocarpus Opulifolius Diabolo

The Physocarpus Opulifolius Diabolo is an appealing and versatile shrub with burgundy foliage and white flowers. The hue is so dark that it often looks black. One good thing about this plant is that it can grow in a variety of soil conditions, and it easily adapts to USDA Zones 2-7. If you plan to have this plant in your garden, keep it away from direct sunlight. Shady areas are the best if you want it to maintain a dark color.

Sophistica Blackberry Hybrid

These flowers are actually petunia variants that are closely related to the Black Velvet and Black Cat petunia. They are actually a deep wine color rather than black and can easily be grown in window boxes, flower beds, and pots. The petunia variants are endangered, which is why the hybrids were developed. Getting seeds for non-hybrid petunias can be quite expensive. It’s definitely much easier to get your hands on the hybrids than the elusive Black Velvet and Black Cat.

Black Baccara Rose

The Black Baccara Rose is one of the best black flowers in the market. It has the darkest hue and one of the most pleasant fragrances. It’s a definite must-have for flower enthusiasts. It’s so gorgeous that it will pop out even in a lush bed of bright flowers. During its growth, the flower will start out in a deep reddish wine color and start to get darker as the weather cools down.

Viola Molly Sanderson

If you’re a fan of black flowers, the Viola Molly Sanderson should be on your list. They quickly adapt to pot containers but can grow better in a flower bed. They bloom from spring to fall and are quite easy to maintain. These flowers are genuinely black in color and would stand out in a bed with brightly colored pansies or even yellow primroses.

Source: Aaron Carlson on Flickr

Hollyhock Nigra

The Hollyhock Nigra is an excellent addition to any collection. Adding these gorgeous tall-stemmed plants can definitely add a bit of uniqueness in your garden. The color of the blossom ranges from a deep maroon up to an almost black hue. They are quite easy to grow and can survive in a wide variety of weather conditions.

Wine and Roses

The Weigela Florida, otherwise called Wine and Roses or Alexandra, offers an exciting combination of flowers, which include a deep burgundy color immersed in pink tones. The foliage looks black and is suitable for colder climates. If you have a sunny deck or patio, you can plant this flower there because it loves the sun. It can also tolerate a small amount of shade. You can also grow this in small containers, and it’s relatively easy to plant because Wine and Roses is a bit lighter in shade compared to all the flowers we have mentioned so far. They play through the ranges of pinks, magentas, and even plum. The foliage is so dark that it is close to black in color, which is where it gets its name – it looks like roses floating on wine. It is best grown in colder climates but loves to bask in the sun. They’ll be in full bloom from early spring up to summer.

Aeonium Arboreum

This tropical shrub is quite unique with its tall succulent rosettes. The Aeonium Arboreum has dark foliage that ranges between brown to a deep burgundy hue. Its yellow flowers bloom at the start of summer and all throughout the fall. They grow best in warm regions and would not require too much maintenance since they are technically part of the cacti family. Occasional watering and lots of sun should do it well. If you live in a colder area, make sure to provide it with the extra TLC it needs to survive harsh weather.

Black Beauty

The Black Beauty is part of the Elderberry family that grows purple to black foliage and stems with edible fruits and pink flowers. By adding these plants to your garden, you are definitely adding more shade and contrast to the color palette of your space. It starts maturing during the summer, and when the flowers bloom, your garden will be filled with a sweet lemony fragrance. This specific plant is also another hybrid that was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Black Star Call Lily

If you are looking for a great indoor flowering plant that can add a touch of class to your home, the Black Star Calla Lily should definitely be one of your choices. Its color ranges from a deep plum to an almost black tone. It looks great when surrounded by lush green foliage. It is easily grown in pots and other containers; just be sure it’s able to get the right amount of sunlight to keep growing

Source: brewbooks on Flickr

Black Mondo Grass

The Black Mondo Grass grows well in warmer and more tropical weather conditions and can reach a foot high. They grow well in containers as opposed to open spaces, and during spring, their foliage is in a deep black tone that shifts to a more purplish hue by the start of summer. By the middle of summer, its white bell-shaped flower blooms.

Canna-Black Tropicanna

If you’re looking to add a touch of the tropics to your garden, the Canna-Black Tropicanna should fit in well with practically any variety. It may have brightly colored flowers, but its large chocolate-colored foliage will definitely stand out. This unique plant thrives in warm conditions and would do best with access to at least six hours of sunlight. It’s not that hard to maintain and is a sure favorite.

Arabian Night

The Arabian Night, otherwise known as the Black Dahlia, has left quite an impression on hobbyists and veteran horticulturists everywhere. Its beautiful blossoms contrast from a deep wine color to a burgundy hue, which makes it look quite close to black. To accomplish growing this beauty in your garden, it would require a lot of sunlight and warmth.

Source: Drew Avery on Flickr

Black Magic

The Black Magic, or the Colocasia, is a great addition to any garden. Its matte dark purple leaves easily identify it. This plant is also known as the elephant ear because of the large size of its foliage. It requires a lot of sunlight and thrives in tropical climates. It can still grow in colder regions, but you can’t really expect it to mature as it does in its natural weather conditions. You can easily surround this plant with bright flowers to make it stand out.

Black Prince

The Black Prince, also known as the Coleus, is one of the more popular species appreciated by gardening hobbyists everywhere. IT has a rather robust black foliage that makes it quite unique compared to the other dark foliage plants we’ve discussed. It is more common in warmer climates and loves to sit in the sun. It would do great in an area with direct sunlight surrounded by a combination of bright flowers; however, it can easily grow in a container or directly on a flower bed.

Source: FarOutFlora on Flickr

Silver-Laced Primrose

The Silver Laced Primrose, otherwise known as the Victoriana Lace Silver Black, is one of the rarest black flowers in the world. This particular plant produces brownish-black flowers lined with a beautiful silver edge scallop and a golden center. It typically blooms in summer and releases a very fragrant odor. It can easily adapt in a variety of weather conditions but would prefer to be in a shady space with moderately moist soil.

Heuchera Obsidian

The Heuchera Obsidian, or the Obsidian Coral Bells, is known to be one of the most beautiful black plants. It can easily grow in containers, boxes, and flowerbeds with little maintenance. It is a great focal point to any garden and would definitely stand out with bright flowers. It blooms best in areas with partial shade and prefers colder climates.

Bat Flower

The Bat Flower, or the Tacca chantrieri, is another exotic breed of black flowers. It gets its name from its beautiful black flower that resembles the shape of a batwing. This plant grows best in warmer climates, but it can also survive cold conditions. However, it doesn’t fare well indoors. When placed outside, be sure it is able to bask in at least six hours of sunlight.

Source: Joe Mabel on Wikiepedia

Chocolate Soldier Columbine

The contrast of light green foliage against chocolate brown to plum blooms has definitely put the Chocolate Soldier Columbine on the top picks for many gardeners. It is a hardy plant that is quite tolerant of almost all weather conditions. It flowers easily and is great for those who are just starting out. The combination of beauty and easy maintenance won our hearts instantly, and this would also be our personal favorite too.

Source: F. D. Richards on Flickr

Black Daylily

Lilies have captured the hearts of millions. We’re definitely more accustomed to lilies of the lighter shade, but imagine getting your hands on a dark purple one. Despite its beauty, this plant is quite hard to grow. It can be a bit temperamental, but all your hard work is worth it at the end of the day. The centerpiece of the blossom is a sparkling bright yellow; its deep purple to almost black petals make it unique for anyone’s outdoor space. This is easily a top pick for more experienced hobbyists looking for a challenge.

Butterfly Bush

If you’re looking for a more wild touch, the Butterfly Bush is a great addition for you. The dark-colored cone-shaped flowers are quite unusual; it will easily stand out in the middle of any brightly colored flower patch. The Butterfly Bush also attracts beautiful pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. If you want to get in touch with another side of nature, this is definitely a good choice for you.

Chocolate Cosmos

The Chocolate Cosmos get their name for the space-like petals that are quite dark, as if they had directly descended from a dark galaxy in space. Their brown to black petals are arranged in a unique cluster.

The sad reality of this specific plant is that it is practically extinct in the wild. They are only alive in controlled conditions and are carefully cared for by expert horticulturists. The chances of you having access to this elusive flower are close to impossible, mainly because the few strains that are alive are no longer producing viable seeds to be replanted.

Source: H. Zell on Wikipedia

Himalayan Honeysuckle

While most of the flowers we have mentioned in the listed range from plum to black, the Himalayan Honeysuckle is quite similar to the hue of the Black Dahlia – deep red to almost black. In addition to having a beautiful flower in a unique tone, the Himalayan Honeysuckle also has a dark red fruit. It has been a fan-favorite of many hobbyists due to its low-maintenance qualities.

Source: Swallowtail Garden Seeds on Flickr

Moulin Rouge Sunflower

We’re more accustomed to bright yellow sunflowers, but did you know that there are darker variants? An example of this is the Moulin Rouge that comes in a deep burgundy tone. It still looks as stunning as your typical sunflowers, but the darker hue gives off a somewhat mysterious vibe that sets it apart from a whole field of golden ones. Like the regular sunflower, the Moulin Rouge is quite easy to grow; all you need is a lot of sun and enough water to make it bloom.

Black Pansy

Pansies, in general, are quite common to find. You have probably seen a bunch in every single garden. The Black Pansy is rarer to see but is quite stunning. It looks like your typical pansy, just in a darker hue. Its plum petals and yellow center is what makes it quite unique for any garden.

Source: Seán A. O’Hara on Flickr

Arum Palaestinum

We have saved the best for last, the Arum palaestinum. This elegant flower has but a single petal in the dark black hue. Inside the intricate architecture of this blossom are smaller petals in a darker shade, easily compared to a starless night sky. Having this flower in your garden would definitely be quite the conversation for any horticulture enthusiast.

The black flower is beautiful, but it seems as though that its rarely used in the everyday garden. That is what makes these flowers so unique. If everyone started adding them into their flower bed, then it may lose a little bit of its mystique. Until then, though, you may want to add three or four varieties fo the flowers listed above to make your garden pop.

Try and experiment with these black flowers as much as you can. As long as you have the right materials and the right climate for these plants, they will surely make a fantastic addition to your outdoor garden or inside your home.

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