21 Black Plants and Black Flowers for Elevated Garden Elegance

In the natural world pollinating creatures don’t take much interest in plants with black foliage or flowers. Flower colors serve to draw attention and entice pollinators to a plant. Black plants and flowers are difficult for many pollinators to even see so many won’t expend extra energy trying to find them. On the other hand, dark colors absorb more heat from sunlight and some insects are drawn to the warmer temperature to be found within a black bloom.  

The black color is the result of a pigment called anthocyanin (it’s the same pigment that results in red, purple, and blue flowers and fruits). It’s more common to see black expressed in plants that have evolved with challenges related to nutrients, light, water stress, or temperature changes that cause the pigment to concentrate within the plant.

Although black may not be a favorite color among wild creatures, for gardeners, the rarity of black plants and black flowers is intriguing and many who appreciate unique additions to their plant collections seek to incorporate a few black plants.

Garden Design with Black Plants and Flowers

As unusual and interesting as black plants and flowers are, they are difficult to design with in the landscape. Unless you are viewing from a close distance, these plants or flowers tend to blend in with the shadows. We’ve got a few design tips that will help you get the most color impact out of black plants and flowers:

1. Use black plants or black flowers in a location with a light background such as the foundation of a white house, in front of a concrete wall, or along a white fence; places where the dark plants will stand out.

2. Combine black plants and black flowers with exceptionally bright flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow to create a high degree of contrast.

3. Look for plants with black foliage or flowers that can be grown in a planter. Setting the plants up as a focal point in a decorative planter will help keep the plants from getting lost in the background of larger garden plantings.

4. Grow plants with black foliage or black flowers next to plants with silver foliage. The beautiful contrast of light and dark improves the prominence of both colors.   

5. Concentrate a variety of plants with black foliage or black flowers in a small area to create a more dense presentation of color that will stand out more. Choose species with particularly interesting foliage and texture to elevate the level of interest.

Plants with Black Foliage

To get you started with including black in your garden plantings, here’s a list of plants that are prized for their black foliage. Many are perennial so you will enjoy lower maintenance with those plant selections.

Purple Basil ‘Dark Opal’ (Ocimum basilicum)

An attractive annual herb with very fragrant, dark purple leaves. Pink flowers appear in late summer, complementing the rich hue of the foliage. Both the leaves and flowers make a delightful garnish on the dinner plate. Culinary herb for gardens and containers. Excellent for adding flavor to soups, sauces, fish and meat dishes. Use leaves fresh, or dry and keep in an airtight container.

Hybrid Coral Bells (Heuchera hybrid)

Years of research by plant hybridizers has resulted in a dazzling array of Coral Bell hybrids. Perfect for gardeners who like to express their creativity through foliage color and texture. Heuchera are native to woodlands, prairies and mountains, so there are varieties suited to any garden. Airy clusters of little bell-shaped flowers add a blush of color in summer.

Fountain Grass ‘First Knight’ (Pennisetum purpureum)

The color of the dark purple foliage does not fade in the heat of summer. The perfect choice for beds and borders. Looks great in rock gardens. Nice for larger patio containers or as a centerpiece in combination plantings. Leave plant through the winter. The dry foliage adds interest to the winter landscape and will provide nesting material for birds in the spring.

Ninebark Standard ‘Diabolo®’ (Physocarpus opulifolius)

This lovely tree form is perfect for bringing Diabolo® up to eye level where it’s burgundy foliage and white flowers can be better appreciated. An excellent selection for creating a focal point in a perennial border or planted as a pair on either side of a doorway. The size is right for small-space gardens or used in a large planter for a deck, patio or poolside. Also known as ‘Monlo’.

Black Mondo Grass ‘Nigrescens’ (Ophiopogon planiscapus)

Wonderful selection with distinctive purple-black, rather stiff leaves. Provides clusters of lilac blooms along a flowering stem. The blooms are followed by attractive blue-black fruit. Very dramatic when contrasted with bright colors. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Best planted in groups.

Leptinella, Brass Buttons ‘Platts Black’ (Leptinella squalida)

This low-grower provides deeply cut, fern-like, deep purple-black foliage. Button-like, greenish yellow flowers are an added bonus. Wonderfully textured leaves look great all season long. Perfect selection for filling in between paving stones. A reliable groundcover for any location. Excellent for use in difficult spots where nothing else can survive.

Ajuga, Carpet Bugleweed ‘Black Scallop’ (Ajuga reptans)

Vigorous selection with evergreen, wine-red tinted leaves. Slender spikes of blue, bugle-shaped flowers bloom in early summer. Ajuga is a quick-spreading groundcover suited to sunny or shady gardens. A very versatile filler for problem spots in the garden. A reliable groundcover for any location. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Effective under trees where lawn has difficulty establishing.

Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)

Black bamboo is a unique plant that is sure to attract attention! Worth growing for beautiful foliage alone. Dependable color and texture looks great all season. Easy to grow and very rewarding. Great for privacy screening or blocking unsightly views. Makes a breathtaking specimen plant. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Nice for larger patio containers.

Alocasia, Elephant’s Ear (Alocasia species)

Easy-care Alocasia plants add a tropical touch to the landscape. Worth growing for beautiful foliage alone. Boldly accents other selections. These unique plants are sure to attract attention! Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Especially nice in waterside gardens. Makes a breathtaking potted specimen plant.

Black Snakeroot, Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Native to Eastern North America, black snakeroot is an easy care choice for moist soils, out of direct sun. Its tooth-edged leaves and fluffy spires of white blooms bring light and texture to the garden. Depending on variety, leaf colors range from bright green, to burgundy, to chocolate brown. Superb backing plant for mixed borders. Appropriate near water and in damp woodland settings. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings.

Bugbane ‘Black Negligee’ (Actaea simplex)

Striking black foliage provides garden drama all summer, then the show intensifies as graceful spires of bloom take the stage in autumn. The white flowers, slightly tinged purple, bring softness, contrast and sweet fragrance to the scene. An excellent background plant for mixed borders. Appropriate near water and in damp woodland settings. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings.

Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)

Trailing vines of attractive leaves perfect for adding the finishing touch or a bit of pizzazz to mixed plantings. Depending on variety chosen, leaf colors range from lime green to deep black-purple shades and they may be heart or palm shaped. Perfect for all kinds of containers, including window boxes, hanging baskets and combination planters. A reliable groundcover for any location.

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Plants with Showy or Black Flowers

Some of the following plants have black foliage but are also prized for their flowers. Others in this list have green foliage but the flowers are black.

Stonecrop ‘Turkish Delight’ (Sedum ussuriense)

Compact selection with dramatic burgundy foliage and carmine-red flowers. Worth growing for beautiful foliage alone. A charming display of colorful, dainty blooms. Classic plants for rock gardens! Makes a dependable mixed border plant. Combines beautifully with small ornamental grasses. Terrific plant for butterfly gardens.

Penstemon, Foxglove Beardtongue ‘Husker Red’ (Penstemon digitalis)

An introduction from the University of Nebraska. Striking deep red foliage is complemented by pinkish-white flowers. The flowers are loved by hummingbirds! Excellent for borders, rock gardens, or mass plantings. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings. Terrific plant for hummingbird gardens.

Creeping Stonecrop, Two Row Stonecrop ‘Voodoo’ (Sedum spurium)

One of the best perennials for long-lasting interest. Intense reddish-black foliage contrasts nicely with the bright rose flowers. The flowers attract butterflies to the garden. Classic plants for rock gardens! Looks great filling in between rocks and spilling over container edges. Perfect selection for filling in between paving stones.

Viola ‘Blackout’ (Viola cornuta)

The ultra black color of the flowers on this plant are an unusual twist compared to traditional Viola colors. The dainty blooms will add an elegant touch to any garden or container combination. Makes an excellent pressed flower for crafts or putting in a note or greeting card. U.S. Plant Patent #PP23,369. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Especially nice for mixing with spring bulbs.

Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ (Weigela florida)

‘Dark Horse’ is a deciduous shrub that forms a compact mound of deep purple foliage with chartreuse leaf veins. Creates a striking contrast planted near plants with green or gold foliage. Produces rosy-pink, trumpet-shaped blooms over a long season from late spring into summer. Flowers are loved by hummingbirds! U.S. Plant Patent #14,381. Ideal for borders, hedges or as a specimen plant. Excellent for planting along fences and walls.

Bugbane ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ (Cimicifuga ramosa)

A tall selection with magnificent purplish-black foliage and stems. Spires of fragrant white flowers with a pale blush of pink. The flowers attract butterflies to the garden. Superb backing plant for mixed borders. Appropriate near water and in damp woodland settings. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings.

Columbine ‘Black Barlow’ (Aquilegia vulgaris)

An old-fashioned favorite. Valued for its handsome, durable foliage and the airy charm of its blooms. Displays double dark purple-blue, almost black blossoms. The flowers are loved by hummingbirds. Makes a dependable mixed border plant. Especially nice in woodland gardens. Best planted in groups.

Black Iris (Iris chrysographes)

Velvety blooms in deep shades of purple to pure black are sure to be a center of attention. This species is native to Asia where it grows on hills, in meadows, and near streams. A fun selection for creative gardeners who enjoy experimenting with unique flower and foliage colors. Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens.

Lenten Rose, Christmas Rose, Hellebore (Helleborus species)

Hellebore’s dense growing, palmate foliage brings lush coverage to shady gardens. Large, yet elegant saucer to cup-like blooms appear anywhere from late winter to mid-spring depending on the variety and your garden zone. The evergreen foliage is a welcome sight in the winter landscape. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Looks great in rock gardens and informal, naturalized settings.

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Experimenting with Black in Your Garden

If you just want to dabble with black flowers in your landscape, look for black tulips, petunias, or black rose Aeonium for a short-term experience with black flowers. If you decide you like these unique additions to your garden, then you’ll probably want to go with a more permanent perennial plant species or even a shrub the next season.   

Add Some Edibles to Your Black Garden

Black raspberries, blackberries, currants, eggplant, and black cherry tomatoes all produce black fruits that will coordinate perfectly with a black garden scheme and give you the bonus of delicious harvests! If you’re interested in even more ways to incorporate edible plants with your ornamentals check out our information on Edible Landscaping and learn how your landscape can provide food as well as beauty.