IN THIS GUIDE

When most of us think of plants and flowers , we think of greenery do as a backcloth for bright colours and pastel tone .

We rarely mull calamitous blossom or foliage , but the darker - toned members of the flora kingdom can be as impactful in an outdoor or indoor display .

a shrub with long thin black leaves growing outside

While fatal botany is often link up with mourning , sorrow and departure , it can also represent mystique , elegance and machination .

It also serves as a magnificent foil for some of the livelier tone in your garden , so the next metre you ’re plan an musical arrangement or boundary line , keep these shameful flowers and leaf options in mind .

“ contraband foliage can lend a really unfamiliar and exciting look to planting , ” shares Colin Skelly , a Horticultural Consultant who particularise in garden design .

african mask plant with a large heart-shaped leaf, black colouring and white veins, growing outside from a ceramic pot

“ Combined with bright flowers and large leaves it can create a really exotic look .

“ I have used dark - leaved Colocasia in a pool skirt by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ferns to produce a very otherworldly palpate . ”

1) African Mask

Elephant ear plants are striking enough in their own right hand , but this variety is something else .

The leaf is as likewise oversized as other specie in the genus , but its dark colourings , accentuated famously by the whitish - greenish veining on the leaf , guarantee it ’ll be a talking point wherever it ’s grown .

2) Black Bamboo

Bamboo already provides excellent screeningmaterial , but the bootleg variety of this sturdy pasturage is an even more attractive pick .

you could employ it to create privacy in your garden or set it up as a backcloth for brighter colours to really pop in front of .

3) Columbine ‘Black Barlow’

Often mistaken for a Dahlia pinnata , ‘ Black Barlow ’ isactually a columbinethat has been specifically multiply as a cut flower .

With their twofold blooms , its blossoms resemble spiky pompoms and the dark plum ( bordering on opprobrious ) of the petal is utterly set off by the smart as a whip yellow and dark-green of the mark and anther .

4) Black Bat Flower

This rarefied orchid earned its name because it apparently resembles a bat in trajectory , but it looks more like an extra - terrestrial creature if you ask me .

Its dim petals take on host to a cluster of buds , while an abundance of drooping filaments shoot forth from its stamen .

This industrial plant is as creepy as it is compelling .

black bamboo with thick canes and thin green leaves acting as a garden hedge

5) Black Bearded Iris

This bearded lovely does really appear to be unfeignedly black .

However , make up limited attention to its changing hues when the light catches it just so and you ’ll notice it carries undertones of purpleness and green .

It ’s a real showstopper , peculiarly when paired with contrasting white or pastel blooms .

deep purple flowers growing on tall thick stems from a Columbine ‘Black Barlow’ plant

6) Elephant Ear ‘Black Coral’

Anothervariety of elephant ear , ‘ Black Coral ’ does n’t have the tending - grabbing variegation of ‘ African Mask ’ , but it does have the same floppy structure and velvety texture to its foliage .

The leave-taking here are a more uniform dark purple , with the veins picked out in more or less light shades , and it will turn even darker the more sun it receives .

It ’s also slimly hardier making it a little less susceptible to inhuman status .

tacca chantrieri with unique black petals, wiry stamen and large green leaves

7) Elderberry ‘Black Beauty’

‘ Black Beauty ’ isa dark - chant black elder varietythat is a feast for all the senses .

Its fateful leaf contrasts pleasingly with the delicate blank and pink blossom that burst forth each bound , while its lemony aroma will razz the nostrils in summer .

By fall , the sourish black berry it bring out all over the effect .

a single black bearded iris flower in focus with a dark purple colour

8) Calla Lily ‘Black Forest’

Forget the gateau , the gorgeously chocolatey leaf of the canna lily ‘ Black Forest ’ is the only sweet kickshaw postulate on any horticultural bill of fare .

This tropical stunner is prized just as much for its striking leaf as it is for its origin - red bloom , which blow over to burn orangeness as the summer wears on .

9) Black Haworthia

succulent are magnificently loose houseplants to care for and Haworthia is no exclusion – but the chunky , interconnected segments of its leafage certainly are exceptional .

In April or May you’re able to expect tiny florets of whitened to appear , adding even further fascinate to this captivating petty client .

10) Black Hollyhock

Hollyhock is often favouredfor the height it can bring to the rear of a border ,   but the multifariousness ‘ Blacknight ’ is an even more dramatic backcloth .

The black flowers can reach up to 10 atomic number 96 in diam and unfurl from the fundament of the plant ’s predominate stiletto heel upwards , mesmerising gardeners and pollinators likewise .

11) Pepper ‘Black Pearl’

Whilemost capsicum ( capsicum pepper plant ) plantsare cultivate specifically for their fruit , ‘ Black Pearl ’ is something of an outlier .

The small off-white - like fruits , which start out black and mature to a ripe redness , are technically eatable , but are incredibly spicy.1Capsicum annuum “ Black Pearl . ”(n.d . ) . Missouri Botanical Garden . Retrieved March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=260123

Instead , but marvel at the glossy black foliation .

heart-shaped black leaves from a colocasia esculenta ‘black coral’ plant with thick stems

12) Coleus ‘Black Prince’

Not to be confused with the Echeveria of the same name , this dumb , downhearted - mature bush is qualify by strikingly disgraceful leafage , the jagged edges of which are highlighted in burnt lime gullible .

That demarcation is surprising in the natural world and provides twelvemonth - round interestfor any corner of the garden .

13) Black Scallop

Sometimes known as Carpet Bugle , black scallop is expert at thriving in conditions where other plants falter , such as in the shade of Tree or big plant .

For that ground , the creeping spread of its lustrous black foliage is often favoured as footing cover in sphere lacking lustre and life .

As a to the full - hardy perennial that can survive in middling much any level of sunlight , this unfussy plant is ideal for adding low - maintenance duskiness to any field of your garden .

thin leaves from a black elderberry tree with clusters of tiny white and red flowers

14) Black Velvet Petunia

This intercrossed species has barely been around for a decennary , which may make it more difficult to acquire .

Having sound out that , its status as the populace ’s first fatal Petunia has contributed to its growing popularity in recent years , so you might still be able to enjoy its gothic charms and velvety texture in your garden.2Clarke , T. ( 2010 , November 25).World ’s first black bloom created . Channel 4 News . Retrieved March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.channel4.com/news/worlds-first-black-flower-blooms

15) Ninebark ‘Diabolo’

This dense shrub is a capital alternative for hedging or screening around the garden , and though its leave-taking are really a fertile purpleness in color , they look to be contraband from a distance .

That dark canvas is the ideal counterpoint to the coral - coloured flower that spring away profusely during the growing season and the bright red-berry which come later in the year .

16) False Shamrock

The trio of triangular leaves which perch atop each shank ofthe false shamrockgive it its moniker .

In the natural state , however , that foliage is swooning green in colour , but breeders have selectively naturalise form of the plant to make fateful farewell with purple highlights .

17) Fringe Flower

The spidery tassel or ‘ fringes ’ of the blossom head which dangle from the Chinese Loropetalum bush are what give the plant its common name .

While the bloom are certainly eye - catching enough in their own right , their appealingness is only enhanced by the purplish - black leafage behind them .

18) Coneflower ‘Green Wizard’

Black - eyed Susanis perhaps the most noted rudbeckia cultivar , but despite its name , the ‘ Green Wizard ’ takes the black feature of its counterpart to a whole other level .

The large , cylinder flowerhead is a deep black in colour , flecked with topographic point of yellow at its apex , while the green sepals at its base can easy be mistaken for leaves .

19)Hibiscus‘Midnight Marvel’

The ruby peak of this hibiscus cultivar survive for just one day , but the flower season outlast that of many others of its genus .

What ’s more , each blossom can reach up to 22 cm in diam , while the resonance of their colourings is accentuated by the pitch-black backdrop of the leafage behind them .

20) Black Willow

Sometimes known as calamitous pussy willow , this shrub features thick erect stems with eye - capture catkins of the darkest lightlessness , overstep by a red tip .

Their strange appearance has made them popular as an ornamental flower at the rear of borders , next to fencing material or in cut fragrance .

21) Sunflower ‘Moulin Rouge’

Imagine if Baz Lurhmann teamed up with Tim Burton and the pair reworked Vincent Van Gogh ’s famoussunflowermasterpiece and you might add up closely to a visual mental representation of the ‘ Moulin Rouge ’ cultivar of the genus .

The rusty total darkness at the middle of the flower head softens to a crimson tint at their extreme for a sincerely unique effect .

22) Black Mondo

‘ Nigrescens ’ goes by many gens – including ‘ Ebony Knight ’ and ‘ Black Dragon ’ – and all of them have-to doe with to the strange colour of its leaves .

The foliage is purple - green in dark or shaded surface area , but expose it to full sunlight and watch them turn a profound Negro .

This perennial is perfect for rock garden and raise beds .

a calla lily with black and green foliage growing outside

23) Nemophila ‘Penny Black’

The glowering royal petals of this low - growing yearbook , which always come band in fives around their primal stamen , look shameful even from close range , while the white edge at their tips adds to the effect further .

Their trailing drug abuse mean they ’ll reckon specially fetching when dangledover the side of a flow basket .

24) Persian Lily

The Persian lily is available in a wide regalia of colours , but the cultivar bearing non-white plum ( verging on black ) blossom is perhaps one of the most extremely prized .

It ’s not difficult to see why , either ; thecascading bell - shaped flowersdangle serenely from the spikes of the flora , fetch mass of style and seismic disturbance to their surround .

25) Tulip ‘Queen Of Night’

Although not a dead on target black ( think more maroon than obsidian ) , the ‘ fag of Nox ’ tulip is the darkest variety of this Dutch symbol there is .

The single blossom heads sit down proudly atop the hulk stem , while the lucullan greenery of the foliage and the dainty picket scandalmongering of the anthers are pleasing contrasts to the ruby richness of the flowers .

26) ZZ Plant ‘Raven’

‘ Raven ’ is the only black variety ofZamioculcas zamiifoliain existence .

The leaves may set about life green , but they ’ll mature to a dusty black over meter , taking on a shiny wax to their aerofoil that wee the plant quite the sight to behold .

27) Rex Begonia

The unsubtle , meat - form leaves of rex begonia come in a all-inclusive variety of different gloss , including black , pinkish and dark or the quite incredible white and bleak variegated appearance above .

Low - sustainment but high on shock , they ’re the ideal accession to your home – at heart or out .

28) Primrose ‘Silver Lace Black’

Primrosesare often regard as the quintessential British cottage garden flush , but the ‘ eloquent lacing black ’ cultivar shake things up a little bit .

Their delicacy , daisy - like petals are a brownish - blackened , fringed at the edges in white , while the bright yellow stamen solidifying off the core with no little panache .

29) Dahlia ‘Yellow Hammer’

Dwarf dahlias like ‘ Yellow Hammer ’ are compact creatures , think of they ’re a great selection for interracial borders and raised beds .

The hopeful yellow bloom of this cultivar are attractive enough to begin with , but the stark contrast of the bronzed dim foliage really takes things up another story .

30) Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’

These succulent can thrive outside as well as inside the home , as long as you hold up in a part of the country that receives enough sunniness .

If they fail to get their quota of sun , the fleshy foliage will resemble a cerise - purple shade , but with enough ultraviolet , the leaves are amply black .

References

waxy leaves from a haworthia coarctata succulent growing in an orange pot mulched with white pebbles

Alcea rosea ‘Blacknight’ flower with a purple centre growing on a tall green stem

capsicum annuum ‘black pearl’ shrub with dark leaves and big round black berries

black leaves with green edges from Solenostemon ‘black prince’

shiny black leaves from a black scallop plant growing outside with brown foliage on the floor beneath

black velvet petunia growing in a small container outside

small black leafy shrub ninebark ‘diablo’ with clusters of tiny white flowers

tiny pink flowers growing on tall stems from a false shamrock plant

small rounded black and dark green leaves from a loropetalum chinense shrub with frilly pink blooms

single coneflower ‘green wizard’ flower with a black centre and green petals

large red hibiscus flower from a ‘midnight marvel’ cultivar with black foliage

a black willow shrub with thin green stems and tiny black flower buds

sunflower ‘moulin rouge’ with a large dark centre and yellow and red petals

thin long black leaves from an ophiopogon planiscapus ‘nigrescens’ shrub

low-growing ‘penny black’ with green leaves and dark purple and white cup-shaped flowers growing outside

Persian lily with deep purple flowers growing on tall erect stems

dark purple flowers from a tulip ‘queen of night’ plant growing on tall green stems

A zz plant ‘raven’ plant with green and black foliage growing in front of a patterned wall

rex begonia with red and greyish-black leaves

black and white flowers with yellow centres from a primula ‘silver lace black’ plant

Dahlia ‘Yellow Hammer’ shrub with bright yellow flowers and black foliage

close-up of the rosette-forming black fleshy leaves from an aeonium ‘zwartkop’ plant