Black has long been a colour associated with mystery and uniqueness. However, it’s quite rare that we find the colour in the world of flowers.
But it turns out there are plenty of different varieties of black flowers! And they make for a fantastic addition to any floral arrangement when looking to add a dash of unusual beauty to homes, gardens or weddings.
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What Do Black Flowers Mean?
Going against the grain of what’s typically associated with the colour, black flowers represent a sense of rebirth and starting anew as opposed to carrying negative connotations.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the beautiful black blooms that you can choose from…
Black Pansy
The word ‘pansy’ derives from the French word pensée, which means ‘thought’. Black pansies have long been a source of inspiration for any artists all over the world, including Georgia O’Keeffe, who painted the flower back in 1926.
Once planted, these flowers will begin to sprout within two weeks. You can expect to see the first flowers appear approximately five weeks after they have been planted. These black blossoms require very little care, but they can be sensitive to heat.
Black Petunia
As far as colouring goes, black petunias are considered to be rather dramatic. They really are striking against their foliage and look absolutely beautiful when grown alongside each other.
Despite their appearance, they require very little maintenance too. They grow easily and tend to last longer than other plants. Black petunias also grow very well in most climates.
Black Baccara Rose
The Black Baccara Rose makes for another striking blossom. Their dark petals can measure in at an average of seven centimetres across. These flowers bloom on very long stems and can survive up to two weeks cut, which makes them an excellent flower to add to bouquets.
Queen of the Night Tulip
These rare tulips are velvety and deep shades of maroon and black. The flowers grow on top of very sturdy stems and work well in borders and arrangements. Queen of the night tulips are set to be the centre of attention no matter where they are displayed.
Bat Orchid
Bat orchids make for a great way to have unusual flowers or novelty plants on display. These flowers grow best in warmer climates when planted outdoors. However, they tend to be more seasonal when planted indoors and bloom abundantly.
Black Hollyhock
Black Hollyhocks are typically at least six feet in height. They are slender plants, and some of them boast double or semi-double flowers. These black beauties have leaves that are coarse in texture.
Iris ‘Before the Storm’
The Iris ‘before the storm’ is a very rare and beautiful flower. This blossom is considered to be one of the darkest flowers in the world. The flowers are moderately sized and incorporate plenty of flaring falls into their design. Furthermore, the blooms have a slight fragrance and grow well once they’re established.
Chocolate Lilies
Chocolate lilies serve both decorative and culinary purposes, and they’re laden with meaning. Also referred to as rice root, this is a beautiful and rare western wildflower. It boasts purple-mottled flowers, as well as lance-shaped leaves. The plant’s seeds are edible and sweet.
The bulbs of these flowers have been used medicinally as well as nutritionally. They have a smooth, creamy texture when cooked and carry a mild sweetness with them. They also contain proteins, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins B1, B2 and C.
Black Dahlia
Dahlias are one of the world’s favourite flowers. They’re popular, easy to grow and can bring a fair bit of colour to any garden.
Black dahlias are a bit rarer than other dahlias. But once they are established, they are generous with their blossoms and their flowering generally lasts throughout the summer months. These flowers can be grown in pots and planters, making it easy for you to position them.
Black Magic Hollyhock
This robust perennial produces tall, sturdy spikes topped with funnel-shaped flowers in shades of purple and black.
Measuring roughly 10 centimetres across, this flower boasts a bright, butter yellow throat. Black magic hollyhock works best when grown against a wall or fence and performs particularly well as a border plant.
Black Velvet Petunia
Believe it or not, black velvet petunias are carnivorous plants! They are trumpet-shaped and designed that way so to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to their nectar.
However, when it comes to smaller insects, these flowers are fully equipped with small, sticky hairs on their stalks. They can use these hairs to trap the insects, and once their prey begins to decay, they absorb all the nutrition they can from it. Other plants known to do this include potatoes, tobacco and tomatoes.
Hellebore
Hellebore plants are a firm favourite amongst gardeners, like daffodils, they are one of the first plants to tell us that spring is on the horizon. In the mid to late months of winter, the plants begin to show us their first shoots.
Once blooming, the flowers produce six beautiful black petals brought together by a pale-yellow centre. This hardy black perennial is left alone by deer and other wildlife, making it and its surroundings a bit easier to contain.
Viola ‘Molly Sanderson’
The Viola ‘Molly Sanderson’ is almost true black in colour.
These plants flower well and abundantly. The viola family has between 525 and 600 species and most of these species are found in temperate climates in the northern hemisphere. However, some are found in other areas such as Hawaii, the Andes and Australasia.
Calla Lily
Despite their name, Calla lilies are not really lilies but do share many of a lily’s qualities. Both plants are sensual, graceful and exotic. They’re very elegant-looking and can be quite intimidating for gardeners at first, as they seem to require a fair bit of maintenance. But this cannot be further from the truth! In fact, growing and caring for these flowers is quite simple.
Black Widow Cranesbill Geranium
This herbaceous plant cultivar is part of the Geraniaceae family. The cranesbill is one of the most reliable geraniums in terms of growth and abundance, making it a firm favourite amongst gardeners.
This species is a hardy, strong-growing one. It offers gorgeous purple-black flowers that contrast beautifully against the mid-green leaves of its foliage.
Exotic and intriguing, these black flowers add something special to the world. Black blooms are a wonderful option for those who love the out-the-ordinary!
Lily’s love for flowers and plants was nurtured in her grandmother’s vibrant garden. Over the years, this affection blossomed into a full-fledged passion for horticulture.
With formal training in botany and countless hours in her own backyard oasis, Lily has cultivated a deep understanding of plant care and garden design.