While black flowers used to only be found in a Gothic garden, today they are seen as a striking "dot of color" that is particularly effective in combination with brightly colored flowering plants.

In a nutshell

  • black flowers set special accents in the garden
  • relatively large selection of species and varieties
  • are particularly effective in combination with colorful flowers

Black flowers from B to G

Black as a flower color is rather unusual. However, most black flowers do not have jet black petals, but rather black-purple, black-blue, or black-purple. How black the flowers actually are is in the eye of the beholder and depends on the species or variety.

Beard carnation 'Nigrescens' (Dianthus barbatus 'Nigrescens')

Source: Photo by David J. Stang, Dianthus barbatus Nigricans 3zz, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Flowers: single flowers, filled
  • Flower color: deep black-red, dark brown
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Growth height: 35 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: sandy to loamy, fresh, nutritious

Mountain knapweed 'Black Sprite' (Centaurea montana 'Black Sprite')

  • Flowers: flower heads, deep black purple
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • Growth height: 40 to 50 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to shady, semi-shady
  • Soil: sandy to loamy, fresh to moderately moist, rich in nutrients

Tip: Due to its filigree flowers, you should place the mountain knapweed in the garden where it is easily noticeable.

Calla 'Black Forester' (Zantedeschia spec. 'Black Forester')

  • Flower: dark red-black
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Growth height: 60 to 80 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: fresh, nutritious

Christmas rose 'Black Swan' (Helleborus niger 'Black Swan')

  • Flowers: cupped, crimson crimson at night
  • Flowering time: December to March
  • Growth height: 30 to 40 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to shady

Garden hyacinth 'Midnight Mystique' (Hyacinthus orientalis 'Midnight Mystique')

  • Flower: racemose
  • Flowering time: April to May
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: up to 20 centimeters
  • Soil: sand, gravel, rich in humus, poor in nutrients

Garden pansy 'Black Star' (Viola x wittrockiana 'Black Star')

Source: Diego Delso, Pensamientos (Viola wittrockiana), Nymphenburg, Múnich, Alemania5, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Flower: cupped, black
  • Flowering time: March/April to November
  • Growth height: 10 to 20 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: fresh, nutritious, sandy to loamy

Double columbine "Black Barlow" (Aquilegia vulgaris hybrid "Black Barlow")

Source: Photo by and (c)2008 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man). Co-attribution must be given to the Chanticleer Garden., Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris 'Black Barlow' Flower 2000px, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Flowers: filled, bell-shaped, black-violet
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • Growth height: 60 to 80 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to shady, semi-shady
  • Soil: fresh, well drained

Gladiolus 'Black Star' (Gladiolus 'Black Star')

Source: Хомелка, Gladiolus 'Black Pearl', Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Flowers: spike-shaped, dark violet to black
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Growth height: 100 to 120 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: rich in nutrients

Goldstreaked iris "Black Form" (garden iris, scientific name Iris chrysographes "Black Form")

Source: peganum from Small Dole, England, Iris chrysographes - a proper black one - Flickr - peganum, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Blossom: wavy, throat-shaped, dark purple-violet
  • Flowering period: June to July
  • Growth height: 50 to 70 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: permeable, loose

Black flowers from H to K

Haller's Devil's Claw (Phyteuma ovatum)

Source: HermannSchachner, Phyteuma ovatum (egghead devil's claw) IMG 0431, Edited by Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flowers: spike-shaped, black-violet
  • Flowering period: July to August
  • Growth height: 30 to 100 centimeters
  • Location:
  • Soil: fresh, nutritious

Tall bearded iris (tall bearded iris, scientific name Iris-Barbata-Elatior)

Source: Kor!An (Андрей Корзун), Iris 'Paint in Black' 02, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Blossom: wavy, black blossom color depending on the variety
  • Flowering period: May to June
  • Growth height: 90 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: loamy, dry, rich in nutrients
  • Varieties (selection): "All Night Long" (deep midnight blue), "Anvil of Darkness (black), "Before the Storm" (black), "Black is Black" (black), "Blacky" (black-violet), "Dracula's Kiss" (black-purple), "Night Owl" (black-blue), "Old Black Magic" (velvety black with purple tinges), "Superstition" (black-purple with purple tinges)

Horn violet (Viola cornuta)

  • Flower: cupped, black flower color depending on the variety
  • Flowering period: April to August
  • Growth height: 10 to 15 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: sandy to loamy, fresh, moderately nutritious
  • Varieties: "Bowles Black" (black-violet), "Molly Sanderson" (black-blue)

Black Velvet Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus Black Velvet)

  • Flowers: funnel-shaped, deep dark red to black
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Growth height: 30 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: sandy to loamy, moderately dry, moderately nutritious

Kenora Macob Dinnerplate Dahlia

  • Flower: deep red to almost black, up to 20 centimeters in diameter
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Growth height: 90 to 100 centimeters
  • Location: full sun
  • Soil: permeable

Black Ball cornflower (Centaurea cyanus Black Ball)

  • Flower: filled, black-violet
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Growth height: 40 to 70 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: permeable, rich in nutrients

Coastal iris (Iris atropurpurea)

Source: Zachi Evenor, Iris-atropurpurea-Wiki-1-Zachi-Evenor, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
  • Blossom: wavy, pharynx-shaped; dark violet to black-violet, deep burgundy red
  • Flowering time: May
  • Growth height: k. A
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: dry, fresh, sandy-loamy

Black flowers from L to R

Lily (Lilium)

Source: Jerzy Strzelecki, Lilium 'Night Rider' 04(js), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Blossom; funnel shaped
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Growth height: 120 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: permeable, humic
  • Varieties: "Blacklist" (night black), "Nightrider" (black-red)

Medium Tall Bearded Iris 'Helen Proctor' (Iris-Barbata Media Hybrid 'Helen Proctor')

Source: I, KENPEI, Iris 'Snowbrook'1, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Flower: wavy, black-violet
  • Flowering time: April to May
  • Growth height: 60 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: fresh, dry

Low leaf iris (dwarf iris, scientific name Iris-Barbata-Nana hybrid)

  • Flower: wavy, pharynx-shaped
  • Flowering time: April to May
  • Growth height: 30 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: dry, stone plants
  • Varieties: "Black Blood" (purple-black), "Dark Vader" (reddish-black-purple, light blue beard)

Oriental Hellebore 'Ruse Black' (Helleborus orientalis 'Ruse Black')

Source: I, KENPEI, Helleborus orientalis 'Ruse Black'1, Edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Flowers: cupped, dark violet to black
  • Flowering period: January to April
  • Growth height: 30 to 40 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady

Persian bell lily (Persian imperial crown, scientific name Fritillaria persica)

Source: 阿橋 HQ, 貝母 Fritillaria persica -荷蘭 Keukenhof Flower Show, Holland- (9200947294), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Flowers: bell-shaped, hanging, dark aubergine-colored
  • Flowering time: April and May
  • Height of growth: up to about one meter
  • Location: summer dry
  • Soil: normal garden soil

Petunia (Petunia)

Source: 阿橋 HQ, 碧冬茄(矮牽牛) Petunia Black Velvet -新加坡濱海灣花園 Gardens by the Bay, Singapore- (9265721557), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Flower: funnel-shaped, black color depending on the variety
  • Growth height: 8 to 12 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: permeable, rich in nutrients
  • Varieties: "Black Cat" (very deep dark violet), "Black Satin" (black to black-red), "Black Velvet" (black, velvety appearance)

roses (pink)

Source: Anna reg, Black Madonna Kordes 1992, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 AT
  • Flower: black flower color depending on the variety
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Growth height: 70 to 90 centimeters
  • Location: sun
  • Variety: "Schwarze Madonna" (velvety black red), "Black Baccara" (dark bordeaux red)

Black flowers from S to W

Chocolate Cosmos (Black Chocolate Flower, scientific name Cosmos atrosanguineus)

  • Flower: cup-shaped, dark violet brown to dark red
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Growth height: 40 to 60 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: moderately moist, rich in nutrients
  • The scent is reminiscent of dark chocolate

Notice: The chocolate cosmetic is often confused with the "real" chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata). However, this one has yellow flowers.

Black hollyhock (Alcea rosea nigra)

Source: Pd4u, Black hollyhock with leaves, Edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower: cupped, deep crimson
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Growth height: 180 to 200 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: no special requirements

Black Devil's Claw (Phyteuma nigrum)

Source: Chmee2, Natural monument Pancice-V rekach in 2011 (20), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
  • Flower: spike-shaped, black-violet or black-blue
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • Growth height: 20 to 70 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: moderately nutrient-rich, low-calcareous loamy soil

Black Tulips (Tulipa)

  • Flowers: bell-shaped to cup-shaped, black flower color depending on the variety
  • Flowering time: May
  • Growth height: 40 to 50 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to off-sun
  • Soil: permeable, loose, rich in nutrients
  • Varieties: Black Hero (double, blackish purple), Queen of the Night (single, blackish purple), Black Parrot (parrot tulip, blackish purple)

Black Germer (Veratrum nigrum)

Source: I.Sáček, senior, Veratrum nigrum 6160, edited by Gartendialog, CC0 1.0
  • Flowers: racemose, black-purple
  • Flowering period: July to August
  • Growth height: 60 to 120 centimeters
  • Location: sunny to shady, semi-shady
  • Soil: deep, nutrient-rich loamy soil

Black double opium poppy (Papaver somniferum paeony Black)

  • flowers: filled, ruffled, deep red to almost black
  • Flowering period: June to October
  • Growth height 60 to 90 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: fresh, loamy

Semi-cactus Dahlia 'Black Jack'

  • Flowers: cup-like, filled, purple-black
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Growth height: up to 110 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: sandy, humic, permeable

Notice: Relatively only a few of the approximately 20,000 dahlia varieties bloom in purple-black.

Sunflower 'Black Magic' (Helianthus annuus 'Black Magic' F1)

  • Flower: dark brown to almost black
  • Flowering period: June to October
  • Growth height: up to 120 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Soil: rich in nutrients

Green Wizard Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)

Source: J Schmidt, Rudbeckiaoccidentalis, Edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Flower: long green sepals with a black cone in the middle
  • Flowering time: Midsummer to early autumn
  • Growth height: 90 centimeters
  • Location: full sun to half shade
  • Soil: permeable

Daylily (Hemerocallis)

Source: Salicyna, Hemerocallis Black Emanuelle 2022-07-30 8605, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Flower: black flower color depending on the variety
  • Flowering period: June to July
  • Growth height: 60 centimeters
  • Location: full sun to half shade
  • Soil: well drained, good garden soil
  • Varieties: "Black Emanuelle" (black-burgundy), "Sir Knight" (deep black-blue, almost black)

Black Knight scabious (Scabiosa atropurpurea “Black Knight”)

Source: C T Johansson, Scabiosa atropurpurea-IMG 9138, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
  • Flower: dark violet to black
  • Flowering period: June to October
  • Growth height: up to 90 centimeters
  • Soil: fresh, well-drained, humic, loamy-sandy

frequently asked Questions

Do the black flowers need to be cared for differently?

Since black flowers are only breeds for flower color, most can be cared for like their colorful sisters.

Are black flowering plants hardy?

That depends on the type of plant. There are annual and perennial black-flowered flowers for the garden.

What other flower colors can black-flowered species be combined with?

There are no fixed rules here. In principle, all other colors go well with black. The combination of black-flowered flowers is not recommended, as they cancel each other out.

Category:

Garden plants