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Shrubs with black flowers are in great demand. They set unique accents in gardens and on balconies. The following list includes the best specimens, which offer the right thing for every requirement with different properties.

In a nutshell

  • pure black flower colors do not exist in nature, they go in this direction at best
  • black flower colors give shrubs a noble elegance
  • Shrubs from the list tolerate pruning well
  • many shrubs also suitable for cultivation in tubs

basics

The black flowers are only the first perception. In fact, they appear to be, but they are not. Among the shrubs there are only a few with almost black flowers. Mostly they have deep dark red, dark blue, dark violet nuances, which are very black and therefore appear that way.

Shrubs with black flowers from B to D

Mustache 'Kew Blue' (Caryopteris clandonensis 'Kew Blue')

  • Upright, bushy semi-shrub
  • Family: Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae)
  • Height of growth: Up to 80 centimeters
  • Flowers: Dark blue to black-blue, arranged in clusters
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Location: Sunny, sheltered from the wind
  • Soil: Moderately moist, not too heavy, well-drained, pH: neutral
  • Special features: bee-friendly, hardy, cold protection recommended in severe frost

Blue Sparrow Beard (Caryopteris clandonensis Blue Sparrow)

  • Shrub to semi-shrub
  • Family: Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae)
  • Growth height: 60 to 70 centimeters
  • Growth width: 70 to 90 centimeters
  • Flowers: Dark blue to black-blue, single
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Location: Sunny
  • Soil: well-drained, normal garden soil, pH value: between slightly alkaline and slightly acidic
  • Special features: Fragrant leaves, bee-friendly, very rich flowering, lime-tolerant, conditionally frost-hardy, protection against frost is recommended

Black Baccara rose small shrub (pink hybrid "Black Baccara")

  • Darkest rose variety currently available worldwide
  • Grows into a small shrub
  • Family: Rose family (Rosaceae)
  • Growth height: 50 to 60 centimeters, rarely up to 100 centimeters
  • Growth width: 40 to 50 centimeters
  • Flower: Velvety bordeaux red, red-black
  • Flowering time: Twice - in early summer around June and late summer at the end of August/beginning of September
  • Location: Sunny, tolerates partial shade, protected from rain
  • Soil: rich in nutrients, deep, loose, pH value: between slightly alkaline and slightly acidic
  • Special features: Very durable as a cut flower, shimmers pitch black, subtle fragrance, low to moderate care requirements

Dahlia 'Kenora Macob' Dinner Plate (Dahlia)

Source: AfroBrazilian: Aleksandrs Balodis, Dahlia 'Kenora Macop-B' 01, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shrubby growth, XL Dahlia
  • Family: daisy family (Asteraceae)
  • Growth height: 90 to 100 centimeters
  • Deep red to black flowers
  • Flower diameter up to 20 centimeters
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Location: full sun, warm
  • Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich garden soil, pH value: slightly acidic around 6.5
  • Special features: Very sensitive to frost, ideal container plant

Shrubs with black flowers from G to L

Garden scabious (Scabiosa atropurpurea "Black knight")

Source: Dwight Sipler from Stow, MA, USA, Scabiosa “Black Knight” (5029080999), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • Shrub-like growth due to strong branching near the ground
  • Family: daisy family (Asteraceae)
  • Growth height: 60 to 80 centimeters
  • Dark purple-black flower
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Location: sun
  • Soil: Nutrient-rich, well-drained, not too moist, pH: slightly acidic to neutral
  • Specialties: Annual plant, popular as a cut flower, ideal for farm beds and tub planting

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
  • Shrubby perennial
  • Family: buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
  • Growth height: 60 to 80 centimeters
  • Flower: Violet-black filling, bell-shaped
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • Location: Sunny, shady, semi-shady
  • Soil: Fresh, well-drained, humus-rich soil, not too dry, pH value: moderately acidic to mildly alkaline
  • Special features: easy to care for, very tolerant of pruning, extremely hardy, also ideal for planting in containers

Italian clematis 'Black Prince' (Clematis viticella 'Black Prince')

  • Shrubby climbing plant
  • Family: buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
  • Growth height: 300 to 400 centimeters
  • Flowers: Black-violet, crimson-black, double
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Location: Sun to semi-shade, warm
  • Soil: humus, rich in nutrients and well drained, pH value: acidic around 5.0
  • Special features: Abundant flowering, robust, very hardy, noble appearance

Climbing shrub rose 'Senegal' (Rosa 'Senegal')

  • Shrubby climber
  • Family: Rose family (Rosaceae)
  • Growth height: 200 to 300 centimeters
  • Flower: Black-red, crimson-black
  • Flowering time: June to July, often additional autumn flowers
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: Rich in nutrients, well drained, pH: neutral to slightly acidic
  • Special features: strong and fast-growing, elegant appearance, resistant to diseases, hardy, pleasantly fragrant

Lenten rose 'Midnight Ruffles' (Helleborus orientalis hybrid 'Midnight Ruffles')

  • Also known as Oriental Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis).
  • Flat, spreading, shrub-like growth without climbing aid - climbing plant with climbing aid
  • Family: buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
  • Growth height: 90 to 100 centimeters
  • Flower: Red-black
  • Flower diameter up to 20 centimeters
  • Flowering period: January/February to April/May
  • Location: partial shade
  • Soil: Calcareous, well-drained, humic, deep garden soil, pH value: neutral to slightly alkaline
  • Special features: undemanding, three times more petals than colorful spring roses, early bloomers, very hardy, ideal for planting in pots and tubs, caution: poisonous

Shrubs with black flowers from P to S

Persian Crown Imperial (Fritillaria persica)

Source: Anneli Salo, Fritillaria persica 'Ivory Bells' IMG 7150 C, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Also called Persian bell lily
  • Family: Liliaceae
  • Upright, loose, shrub-like growth
  • Growth height: 80 to 100 centimeters
  • Flowers: Red-brown to red-black, dark aubergine in colour, inverted funnel shape
  • Flowering time: Between April and May
  • Location: Sunny
  • Soil: permeable to water, loose, dry, pH value: acidic, calcareous
  • Special features: Hardy, but protect new shoots from the cold during late frost

Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)

  • Also called Black Cosmos
  • Perennial, herbaceous, upright growing rhizome plant to semi-shrub
  • Family: daisy family (Asteraceae)
  • Growth height: 40 to 60 centimeters
  • Flower: black-brown
  • Flowering period: From July to October
  • Location: Sunny, sheltered
  • Soil: permeable to water, rich in nutrients, evenly moist, pH value: moderately acidic
  • Special features: Smells of dark chocolate, should be wintered in a dark and frost-free place

Black and red hollyhock (Alcea rosea var. nigra 'Erfurter')

Source: Pd4u, Black Mallow, Edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • subshrub
  • Family: Mallow family (Malvaceae)
  • Upright, loose, shrub-like growth
  • Growth height: 180 to 200 centimeters
  • Flowers: Red-black, almost black, bowl-shaped
  • Flowering period: Between July and August
  • Location: Full sun to sunny
  • Soil: rich in nutrients, well drained, loose, dry, pH value: acidic or calcareous
  • Special features: Annual to biennial variety, hardy

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)

Source: Danny S., Atropa belladonna by Danny S. 093, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Also known as sleeping cherry, devil's cherry and wolfberry
  • Shrubby growth habit, heavily branched
  • Family: Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
  • Growth height: 50 to 150 centimeters, rarely up to 200 centimeters
  • Flowers: brown-violet, brown-black-violet
  • Flowering period: Between June and August
  • Fruits: green at first, later black - caution: very poisonous!
  • Location: partial shade
  • Soil: Nutritious, calcareous, likes porphyry and gneiss soil, pH value: between 7.5 and 8.5
  • Special features: smell of broken roots very penetrating and unpleasant, risk of confusion with edible cherries, which is why poisoning often occurs, hardy

frequently asked Questions

Are black flowers of the shrubs from the list specially bred?

Not all. Some shrubs are a special breed, others naturally have plenty of anthocyanins as a secondary plant substance. In the latter case, this ensures dark flower colors, such as the black deadly nightshade. When it comes to hybrids, the shrubs are usually bred to produce significantly more anthocyanins and therefore hit the mark.

Are the black flowers of the shrubs poisonous due to anthocyanins?

Yes and no. According to the WHO, the secondary and water-soluble plant substance "anthocyanins" actually has a toxicity. However, this is so low that no symptoms of poisoning or other health consequences are to be expected. Anthocyanins are also used, for example, to produce food coloring, for which there are still no quantity restrictions on the coloring agent.

Which plants can be combined with the shrubs from the list?

Shrubs with black flowers can be combined with all plants in the bed or on the balcony that make the same demands on the location and the soil. From a color point of view, however, light-colored flowering plants are particularly good as neighbors, because they show off the noble appearance of the exceptionally dark flowering shrubs particularly well.

Are shrubs with black flowers more susceptible to disease?

No. Black flowering shrubs are no more susceptible to disease than lighter colored varieties. With hybrids it is even the opposite, because with targeted breeding there is a focus on "cultivating" more robust properties and less susceptibility to typical diseases.

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Garden design