30 BLACK FLOWERS & PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN

AEONIUM 'Zwartkop' (Aeonium arboreum)

Zones: 9-11
Exposure: Full to part sun
Habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Bloom time: Late summer to fall

Also known as black rose, this evergreen succulent produces large burgundy rosettes that darken in full sun. ‘Zwartkop’ adds structure to rock gardens, waterwise borders, and containers. Combine with blue chalk sticks or sticks on fire pencil cactus for contrasting color and structure.

ASTILBE 'Dark Side of the Moon' (Astilbe hybrid)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Sun or shade
Habit: Upright mounding habit
Height/Spread: 20 to 22 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

This award-winning perennial has stunning deep chocolate brown leaves. The leaves emerge yellow with a dark margin and turn completely dark as they mature, creating a striking backdrop for the vibrant rosy-purple flowers. Read more about how to grow astilbe.

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BAPTISIA Decadence® ‘Dark Chocolate’ (Baptisia hybrid)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full to part sun
Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit
Height/Spread: 36 to 42 inches tall, 36 inches wide
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Also known as false indigo, this herbaceous perennial has an elegant vase-shaped habit and showy spires of pea-like blooms. Decadence® ‘Dark Chocolate’ produces charcoal-purple flowers above blue-green foliage for dramatic contrast. Use in a native landscape or mixed border. Read more about growing baptisia.

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BASIL 'Dark Opal' (Ocimum basilicum)

Zones: 10-11, most often grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Mounding bushy habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Summer to frost

Basil produces aromatic foliage with an array of culinary uses. ‘Dark Opal’ looks almost black when planted in full sun. Combine in an edible garden with other herbs with decorative foliage such as ‘Tricolor’ sage, variegated thyme or shiso for a captivating display. Read more about growing basil.

BLACK BAT FLOWER (Tacca chantrieri)

Zones: 9-11
Exposure: Partial sun to bright indirect light
Habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 3 feet tall, 1 foot wide
Bloom time: Late summer into fall

Black bat flower is a tender perennial that can be grown as an annual or indoor houseplant. This exotic looking tropical produces deep maroon flowers with wing-shaped bracts that resemble a bat in flight. Grow as novelty focal point in a container or bed with well-drained soil.

BLACK MONDO GRASS (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’)

Zones: 6-10
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Mounding spreading habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 8 inches tall, 9 to 12 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer

Black mondo grass is an evergreen perennial with dark purple grass-like foliage that holds its color year-round. Use this versatile ground cover as an underplanting to trees and shrubs, or massed in the landscape. Combine with coral bells or other plants with amber, silver, or gold foliage.

BUGLEWEED 'Black Scallop' (Ajuga reptans)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
Habit: Low spreading habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 6 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Ajuga is a perennial ground cover that is tolerant of different growing conditions, making it useful for shade and other challenging sites. ‘Black Scallop’ has glossy, near-black foliage that contrasts with vivid blue flowers. Use underneath trees and shrubs, along rock walls, or in between stepping stones. Read more about growing bugleweed.

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CALLA LILY 'Odessa' (Zantedeschia hybrid)

Zones: 8-10
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 20 to 24 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer to fall

This rhizomatous perennial produces elegant tubular flowers in an array of colors. ‘Odessa’ is one of the darkest calla lilies, with deep purple flowers. Combine in containers or beds with hot-colored plants for a bold color scheme, or cool off the landscape with more subdued hues. Read more about growing calla lilies.

CHOCOLATE COSMOS (Cosmos atrosanguineus)

Zones: 7-11
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Bloom time: Mid-summer to fall

This tender perennial produces daisy-like flowers in rich tones of crimson-brown. Combine with plants that have creamy white, lavender, or blue flowers for complementary contrast. Chocolate cosmos can be planted in a container, cottage-style border, or massed in the landscape. Read more about growing cosmos.

COLEUS ColorBlaze® Newly Noir™ (Coleus scutellarioides)

Zones: 10-11, most often grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Habit: Mounding spreading habit
Height/Spread: 24 to 40 inches tall, 18 to 36 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer; grown for foliage

Coleus is a warm-season plant grown for the colorful foliage that comes in an endless array of colors and patterns. ColorBlaze® Newly Noir™ has deep purple to black leaves. Plant in a bed or container with lantana, calibrachoa, or purple fountain grass. Read more about growing coleus.

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CRAPE MYRTLE Center Stage® Red (Lagerstroemia indica)

Zones: 6-10
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 12 feet tall, 8 feet wide
Bloom time: Summer

Center Stage® Red crape myrtle grows with a compact, narrow habit, making it a perfect fit for a variety of landscapes. Its nearly black foliage and cherry-colored flowers provide captivating contrast all summer long. Ideal for gardeners seeking a plant with high visual impact and minimal maintenance. Read more about growing crape myrtle trees and shrubs.

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DAHLIA 'Bishop of Llandaff' (Dahlia hybrid)

Zones: 8-11
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 24 to 36 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer to fall

Dahlia is a tuberous warm-season perennial with cheerful flowers in a rainbow of colors. ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ has rich plum-black leaves that provide stunning contrast to the bright red flowers. The black foliage adds sophisticated background color to mixed borders, containers, and beds. Read more about growing dahlias.

DIANTHUS 'Velvet 'n Lace' (Dianthus chinensis)

Zones: 6-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright compact habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 12 inches tall and wide

Dianthus is a cottage garden favorite with sweetly fragrant flowers. ‘Velvet 'n Lace’ has frilly purple-black petals edged with white. Plant in a cottage-style border, rock garden, or container alongside plants with white, blue, or lavender flowers for pleasing contrast. Learn more on how to grow dianthus.

DIERVILLA Kodiak® Black (Diervilla rivularis)

Zones: 4-7
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Diervilla is a deciduous shrub with yellow or orange tubular flowers and leaves in a range of colors. The foliage of Kodiak® Black is a deep burgundy-black, turning red in fall. Grow in a bed or border in combination with other shrubs with gold or variegated foliage for eye-popping contrast. Learn more on how to grow diervilla.

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ELDERBERRY Black Lace® (Sambucus nigra)

Zones: 5-7
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 8 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Early summer

Elderberry is a native deciduous shrub with multi-seasonal appeal. Black Lace® has finely cut purple-black foliage that contrasts dramatically with the large pale pink flower heads. Use as a background plant in a mixed border to set off adjacent plants. Read more about growing elderberry.

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ELEPHANT EARS 'Black Magic' (Colocasia esculenta)

Zones: 8-10
Exposure: Partial sun
Habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 6 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late spring to early fall

Also known as taro, elephant ears are a tuberous perennial with oversized heart-shaped leaves that add bold structure and tropical flair to the landscape. ‘Black Magic’ has deep purple, nearly black leaves. Plant this water lover with canna lilies and coleus for a bright display. Read more about growing elephant ear plants.

HELLEBORE Honeymoon® New York Night (Helleborus hybrid)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
Habit: Compact mounding habit
Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall and wide
Bloom time: Early to mid-spring

Hellebores bloom at a time of year when little else is in flower. Cup-shaped flowers come in an array of colors and patterns. Honeymoon® New York Night has dark purple, nearly black flowers. Combine with hellebore varieties that have green, yellow, or speckled blooms. Read more about growing hellebores.

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HEUCHERA Primo® 'Black Pearl' (Heuchera spp.)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Compact mounding habit
Height/Spread: 8 to 10 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide
Bloom time: Mid-summer

Heuchera are a versatile perennial grown for the foliage in a range of colors and shapes. Primo® ‘Black Pearl’ has ruffly dark purple, nearly-black foliage that holds its coloring best in semi-shade. Combine with trailing and upright plants in complementary colors for a compelling display. Read more about growing coral bells.

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HOLLYHOCK 'Nigra' (Alcea rosea)

Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 5 to 8 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Bloom time: Summer

Hollyhock is an old-fashioned cottage garden favorite. This biennial or short-lived perennial produces cup-shaped flowers in an array of colors on tall, sturdy stems. ‘Nigra’ is one of the darkest varieties, with deep purple, nearly black blooms. Grow in a border with alliums, daylilies, and coneflower. Read more about growing hollyhock flowers.

IRIS 'Black is Black' (Iris germanica)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright clumping habit
Height/Spread: 3 feet tall, 2 feet wide
Bloom time: Mid-spring

Bearded iris is a rhizomatous perennial with elegant flowers in many colors. ‘Black is Black’ is one of the darkest varieties, with velvety jet black flowers and ruffled edges on the petals. Plant alongside shrubs with gold or burgundy foliage such as spirea, weigela, or ninebark. Read more about growing iris flowers.

LOROPETALUM Jazz Hands Bold® (Loropetalum chinense)

Zones: 7-9
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 10-12 inches tall, spreads to 3 feet
Bloom time: Mid-spring

Also known as Chinese fringe flower, Loropetalum adds a bold splash of color to any garden. Its bright pink flowers bloom mid-spring, contrasting with the deep-purple foliage. Read more about growing loropetalum.

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PANSY 'Black Accord' (Viola wittrockiana)

Zones: 7-11, most often grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Compact mounding habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 8 inches tall and wide
Bloom time: Peak bloom is in spring and fall

The cheerful flat-faced flowers of pansies are a sure sign of spring, occurring in a range of colors and patterns. ‘Black Accord’ is one of the darkest varieties, with velvety purple-black petals. Combine with yellow daffodils, green tulips, or orange poppies for an early season display. Find more on growing pansies.

PETUNIA 'Black Velvet' (Petunia hybrid)

Zones: 9-11, most commonly grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 8 to 12 inches tall, 10 to 12 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer to frost

Petunia is a warm-season annual with brightly colored flowers. ‘Black Velvet’ has rich velvety petals that are close to a true black. Combine with chartreuse or gold-foliaged annuals such as sweet potato vine, coleus, or pineapple sage for eye-popping contrast. Read more about growing petunias.

PURPLE FOUNTAIN GRASS Graceful Grasses® Vertigo® (Pennisetum purpureum)

Zones: 8-11, most often grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright arching habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 8 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Bloom time: Grown for the foliage

Vertigo® is an ornamental grass with a tall growth habit and dark purple foliage that adds structure and contrast to the landscape. Plant at the back of a mixed border, use as a focal point, or mass in a bed alongside canna lilies and coleus. Read more about growing purple fountain grass.

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ROSE 'Black Baccara' (Rosa hybrid)

Zones: 6-10
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 6 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Bloom time: Late spring to fall

‘Black Bacarra’ is a hybrid tea rose with velvety dark red flowers that bloom from late spring to fall. The long, sturdy stems makes this a favorite cut flower. Plant in a mixed border or bed in combination with lavender, catmint, lady’s mantle, or sweet alyssum. Read more about growing roses.

ROSE MALLOW Summerific® 'Holy Grail' (Hibiscus hybrid)

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 48 to 54 inches tall, 54 to 60 inches wide
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

An exceptional hardy variety with near-black foliage and striking 8-9” deep-red flowers. Attracts hummingbirds and resists deer, thrives in partial to full sun and is easy to maintain. Read more about growing rose mallow shrubs.

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SEDUM Rock 'N Grow® 'Back in Black' (Sedum hybrid)

Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright mounding habit
Height/Spread: 20 to 24 inches tall, 26 to 30 inches wide
Bloom time: Late summer to early fall

This captivating fall-blooming perennial's nearly black leaves provide unique visual appeal throughout summer. Late summer flowers add striking contrast against the dark foliage. 'Back in Black' thrives in heat, is drought tolerant, and tolerates salty conditions. Read more about growing sedum.

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SMOKE BUSH Winecraft Black® (Cotinus coggygria)

Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 8 to 10 feet tall, 6 to 8 feet wide
Bloom time: Early summer

Cotinus is a deciduous shrub with colored foliage and smoke-like flower plumes. Use the dark burgundy foliage of Winecraft Black® as a background element, or plant next to a shrub with gold or chartreuse foliage for a pop of contrast. Read more about growing smoke bush.

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SWEET POTATO VINE Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Jet Black™ (Ipomoea batatas)

Zones: 11
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Mounding vining habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 16 inches tall, 20 to 36 inches wide
Bloom time: Grown for foliage

Ipomoea batatas is a tender perennial grown for the vining habit and attractive foliage. Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Jet Black™ is one of the darkest varieties, with deep purple heart-shaped leaves. Plant in a container or hanging basket in combination with lantana and coleus for a sizzling combination. Read more about growing sweet potato vines.

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TULIP 'Queen of the Night' (Tulipa hybrid)

Zones: 3-8
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 24 to 36 inches tall, 4 inches wide
Bloom time: Late spring

Tulips are a popular spring bulb, with flowers in many colors. ’Queen of Night’ is the blackest tulip variety, with dark burgundy flowers. Plant alongside a late blooming orange tulip variety such as ‘Princess Irene’ for bright contrast, or a pink flowered variety such as ‘Angelique’ for a subdued effect. Read more about growing tulips.