12 Black Flowers to Add Elegance to Your Garden

Gothic clothing has seen a revival – many gravitate toward the beautifully macabre elements romanticized by goth culture. Similarly, black or darker colored flowers (no flower is truly black, but they will seem like it in certain lighting), with petals a velvety sheen, are in vogue, adding mystery and drama to your gardens. On a deeper level, they are a reflection of the spiritual realm and a fascination with the paranormal. Those seeking a garden of a darker palette can consider growing a goth themed garden. 

There are many ways to add elegance with dark flowers. Combine with other darkly inclined flowers or complement with a repertoire of rustic flowers in the fall to create a hauntingly beautiful setting before the frost sets in. 

1. Black Swan Poppy (Papaver somniferum var. paeoniflorum)       

The Black Swan Poppy, with its finely serrated petals and deep, mulberry color, are an intriguing anomaly – its frizzled flower heads are a necessity in your garden. Intersperse among larkspur and other frilly cottage-garden plants for a whimsical combination with a hint of edge. For maximum effect, sow it along a garden place near the front instead of tucked away with other flowers. 

2. Hollyhock 'Nigra'

Standing tall, up to 8 ft tall, this attractive flower doesn’t bow down to anyone. Brought by Spanish settlers who traversed the Rio Grande, they alone survived the scorching heat when many more fragile plants withered. Hollyhocks are known to grace fence lines, where they evoke the memory of old-world gardens. 

3. Gladiolus 'Black Star'

Black is a color that pairs beautifully with red, and Gladiolus 'Black Star' is a stately flower that seizes gardeners’ attention. The subtle gradient of red and black creates a delectable visual that brings to mind velvet drapery. Grow in full sun for best results. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies flock to it, and it makes a great cut flower. 

4. Calla Lily 'Odessa'

Daylilies are sometimes seen as a travesty because of their woody appearance and garish colors, but not all lilies are as offensive. With striking, trumpet-like flowers, Calla Lily 'Odessa' ranks among the darkest flowers. It’s often grown in garden beds or containers in masses for an elegant, monochromatic color scheme.  

5.  Bearded Iris 'Black Suited' 

Some flowers look like they take good care of themselves, and this bearded iris certainly does. Sharply-dressed, with an intense, black coloration, it is a vigorous grower, deer-resistant, and imparts a musky scent. Most black irises have a purple cast to their petals, and although this one does too, it is darker and has a delightful, satiny sheen. 

6. Dark and Handsome Hellebore

Springtime in a garden often pales in comparison to the teeming fruitfulness of summer. However, hellebores, also known as Lenten roses, helps to dispel some of that dullness. The naming of flowers can be an exaggeration, but ‘Dark and Handsome’ delivers, featuring graceful, smoky petals with lime-green centers. They thrive in heavy shade and are great for landscaping under trees.

7. Baptisia Decadence® ‘Dark Chocolate’ 

If you’re someone that likes chocolate, then this charcoal purple variety of false indigo will indulge your senses. Its bushy habit makes it a perfect substitution for shrubs when adding structure to the garden. Very easy to care for, it is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Consider pairing with regular Baptisia and Salvia for a nice complement. 

8. Black Petunias   

Petunias may be last year, but black petunias are all the rage. Among petunias of other colors, they tend to stick out, their sleek black petals catching the sun. Lean into the goth aesthetic by pairing them with white petunias and black potato vines. Deadheading spend blooms encourages growth. Certain varieties like Petunia 'Black Cat' can be occasionally found online, but you’re more likely to find black petunias in garden centers. 

9. 'Black Barlow' Columbine

A beacon for hummingbirds and butterflies, 'Black Barlow' forms beautiful flowers that grow in clumps; the foliage is attractive as well, providing a soft spread. Unlike other black flowers that are more on the dramatic side, it has a wistful quality that appeals to those that gravitate towards the fashions of the Victorian era. It is a striking addition to the spring garden, overshadowing brightly colored flowers. It can be sown directly from seed in the garden once danger of frost has passed. Grow in partial shade in well-drained soil.  

10. Black Bat Flower 

You’re unlikely to find this unusual-looking flower, which resembles an overgrown bat with hanging cat’s whiskers, among an ensemble of staid houseplants. It’s also difficult to grow and doesn’t reliably bloom. That said, many are intrigued by its Lovecraftian appearance and seek it for its novelty. Some gardeners have found success growing it in conditions that mimic its rainforest habitat – light, well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. 

11. ‘Black Prince’ Snapdragon

Though it’s more red than black, the Black Prince snapdragon is nevertheless a regal flower, producing elegant, mahogany spikes. A sought-after heirloom, its color is unusual among snapdragons. While most varieties are grown from transplants, this can be easily grown from seed. It thrives in pots or as borders in cottage gardens. 

12. Hyacinth 'Midnight Mystic'

Bred for its stunning, deep-purple shade, Midnight Mystic is a pretty hyacinth that makes traditional hyacinths seem inadequate. When it was first released in 2005, it was highly coveted by gardeners, and it continues to be sought after. For the darkest blossoms, grow outdoors.