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Dark gardens can be alluring and enchanting, mysterious and romantic. Here are some flora that you can decorate your yards and patios with!
2. Black Bugbane
These perennial boasts some very vivid foliage and fragrant flowers.
The dark leaves contrast quite nicely with the slender light-coloured blooms that emerge late summer and early/mid-autumn.
Requires acidic soil, plenty of moisture, and good compost will help this slow grower fill out over time.
Attracts butterflies and repels insects.
Works well in gardens, container gardening, or planting in massive areas.
Hillside Black Beauty (Left)
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Plant/Flower Height: ~120cm/220cm
Part Shade/Full Shade
Black Negligee (Below)
Hardiness Zones: 4b (can be grow in 5-9)
Plant/Flower Height: ~90cm/180cm
Full Sun/ Full Shade
3. Zwartkop Aeonium
This alien-looking plant has arched stems and rosette leaves.
Bright yellow flowers protrude from its center in the Spring,
around March/April.
Works well in rock gardens as well as container gardens, since it
is an ornamental succulent.
Zwarktop Aeonium
Hardiness Zones: 5c, 10
Plant Height: 70cm-120cm
Full Sun/ Partial Sun
4. Black Magic
Elephant Ear
Huge blackened leaves and stems on a wellcared for Black Magic are astounding.
However, this plant requires extreme care, lest
you live in tropical conditions.
That being said, moist, acidic soil is mandatory
at all times.
Can thrive in shallow water as well, making it
great for water gardens.
‚Black Magic‛ Elephant Ear
It should be noted that every part of this
plant, when ingested, is poisonous. So, be
careful.
Plant Height: 120cm-240cm
Hardiness Zones: 7b-11
Full Sun/Partial Shade
Blooms Mid-Summer
5. Voodoo Lily
Quite the morose, yet gorgeous addition to a garden, the
Voodoo Lily is known for its fragrance of rotten flesh.
Don’t be too repulsed however. It is necessary, as the
plant is pollinated by flies, and the scent only lasts a few
hours—two to three days, tops.
Voodoo Lily
Hardiness Zones: 5b-9
Plant Height: 120cm-180cm
Full Sun/Partial Shade
Blooms Late Spring/Early Summer
This plant appreciates well-drained soil, and doesn’t need
too much water during the summer months.
If you plan on collecting seeds, wear gloves, and sow
them as soon as possible, as the seeds do not keep well.
6. Devil’s Tongue
Majestic and macabre, Devil’s Tongue is a
surprisingly easy plant to care for.
Similar in nature to the Voodoo Lily, this plant is also
pollinated by carrion flies. This makes for a putrid
scent. Hence, it’s other nickname, ‚Corpse Plant.‛
Soil for this plant should be neutral, and remain
moist throughout its growth duration.
This plant does well in containers, too.
Devil’s Tongue
Hardiness Zones: 6-11
Plant Height: 60cm-180cm
Full Shade/Partial Shade
Blooms Late Spring/Early Summer
Lastly, both Devil’s Tongue here and Voodoo Lily are
sensitive to frost. Bring that plant in if it’s cold out.
7. Black
Mondo Grass
Black Mondo Grass
Hardiness Zones: 6-10
Plant Height: 15cm-30cm
Partial Shade/ Full Shade/Full Sun
Blooms Early Summer
Excellent for ground cover, but also remarkable as a potted plant.
When blooms, has white flowers and off-black, non-edible berries.
When planting, space about 30cm apart from each other.
Black Mondo likes fairly acidic soil (pH ranging from 5.6-6.5).
While this plant works extremely well in a variety of conditions, do
be careful and avoid overwatering. Irrigation is recommended.
8. Louis XiV Rose
Rich dark colour featured in these roses’ fragrant double blooms.
Repeat blooms during the season.
Because they’re so small, works well in container gardens.
Be sure to fertilize the soil and water well.
Louis XIV Rose
Hardiness Zones: 6-10
Plant Height: 60cm-90cm
Full Sun/Partial Sun
Blooms Late Spring/Early Summer
9. Black Pussy Willow
The fuzzy black catkins and the red/orange
staminate remind many of a bird’s talons.
The shrub grows fairly quickly, so this place requires
space to spread out. Prune back when it gets unruly.
The Black Pussy Willow is quite tolerant of many soil
types, making it a versatile plant.
Black Pussy Willow
Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Plant Height: 120-240
Full Sun
Blooms Mid-Spring
10. Bat Flower
The most flamboyant flower on our list would
definitely be this tropical perennial.
Native to the jungles of Thailand, this plant is
only suitable for said climates, or a green house.
That being said, consistent moisture is a must.
The soil as well should be slightly acidic (6.1-7.5).
In the States, it’s commonly (successfully) grown
in Florida, and Texas.
Bat Flower
Hardiness Zones: 10-11
Plant Height: 60cm-90cm
Light Shade
Blooms Late Spring/Early Fall
11. Sorbet Black
Delight Viola
A more delicate and playful pansy, Sorbet Black are annuals
that a fairly easy to care for.
Careful and avoid overwatering.
These look particularly nice in autumn containers and gardens.
Sorbet Black Delight Viola
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Plant Height: 15cm-30cm
Partial Shade/ Light Shade
Blooms Late Winter/Early Spring
These plants are very hardy, able to withstand some really cold
winters and some staggering summers.
12. ‘Black Scallop’
Bugleweed
This hybridized plant has darkened, glossy leaves, making for
excellent ground cover.
Although shown here with a dark purple/chocolate tint,
leaves can also don an even darker bluish/green hue.
This plant can be a trifle bit invasive, so watch where you
plant. Also, depending on your zone, slugs might be an issue.
This plant appreciates moist, acidic soil, but can adapt to
drier conditions once somewhat mature.
‘Black Scallop’ Bugleweed
Hardiness Zones: 3b-9
Plant Height: 15cm-30cm
Full Sun/Partial Shade
Blooms Mid-Spring/Early Summer
13. There are hundreds of other dark plant variants that you can tend to in your garden.
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