9 Exciting Black Flowers You Need to Grow in Your Garden

These dark-hued blooms are sure to make a statement in your landscape or vase.

Black flowers rarely occur in nature, but when they do, they're showstoppers. Looking closely, you'll see that their petals are very dark red or purple. Nevertheless, these inky-hued flowers will turn heads in moody bouquets. And in the garden, they're perfect for a farmhouse-style planting where they'll add depth, intrigue, and mystery.

The following plants produce some of the most striking black flowers you can grow in your garden. Most of these varieties are winter hardy across several regions of the country, so they'll return every year. Their blooms can last up to two weeks in a vase, a plus for cutting gardens and floral arrangements.

01 of 09

Black Dahlia

Black Dahlias in a garden
Peter Krumhardt

The dahlia is a fan-favorite black flower during the fall months in seasonal arrangements. Its dusky flowers make it a garden standout when it begins blooming in late summer into autumn.

Zones: 8-11

Height: Up to 5 feet tall

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

02 of 09

Queen of the Night Tulip

Black tulips in a garden
Jay Wilde

A simple bulb to grow, 'Queen of the Night' tulip makes a dramatic addition to containers, beds, and borders. In late spring, its velvety, near-black flowers look especially eye-catching when combined with white or yellow flowers.

Zones: 2-8

Height: Up to 2 feet tall

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

03 of 09

Chocolate Cosmos

Chocolate Cosmos flowers in a garden
Michael Jensen

Though these summer blooms are deep burgundy close up, they appear to be almost-black flowers from a distance. This perennial grows particularly well in containers but can also fill among larger blooms like dahlias or lilies in your garden. Chocolate cosmos emits a scent similar to red velvet cake, adding fine fragrance to floral arrangements.

Zones: 7-11

Height: Up to 4 feet tall

Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

04 of 09

Black Bat Flower

Bat Flower in a garden
passion4nature/Getty Images

Native to tropical areas of Asia, black bat flowers can survive outdoors in subtropical climates, too. In colder regions, move them indoors for winter, where they make intriguing houseplants. The whiskery flowers usually appear in summer into fall.

Zones: 10-11

Height: 2-3 feet

Growing conditions: Part to full shade and well-drained soil

05 of 09

Watchman Hollyhock

Black Hollyhock (Alcea 'The Watchman')
Susan A. Roth

This variety of hollyhock looks stunning in the back of borders or beds. It blooms on tall, sturdy stems in mid to late summer, its large, almost-black flowers attracting all sorts of pollinators.

Zones: 3-9

Height: 5-6 feet

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

06 of 09

New York Night Hellebore

new york night hellebore flower close up
Walters Gardens, Inc.

This perennial will give your garden an air of mystery as it starts blooming in late winter. The flower's dark purple hue and yellow center make for exciting additions to floral arrangements.

Zones: 4-9

Height: Up to 2 feet

Growing conditions: Part to full shade and well-drained soil

07 of 09

Black Baccara Rose

Black Bacccara Rose
jessica solomatenko/Getty Images

'Black Baccara' is a petite hybrid tea rose that blooms from spring to fall. Its velvety burgundy petals darken to look like black flowers as they age. Its long, sturdy stems last for up to two weeks in a vase.

Zones: 5-9

Height: Up to 4 feet tall

Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

08 of 09

Night Rider Lily

Night Rider black Lilly in a garden
Courtesy of Jerzy Strzelecki/Wikimedia Commons

Large, satiny-textured, deep violet 'Night Rider' hybrid lilies make striking additions to containers and flower beds. Each stem produces several buds that open from early to mid-summer. The upward-facing flowers work especially well for cut arrangements, too.

Zones: 4-9

Height: Up to 30 inches tall

Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

09 of 09

Black Knight Sweet Peas

black knight sweet pea flowers
Kritsada Panichgul

One of the darkest varieties of sweet pea, 'Black Knight' blooms are a deep crimson that look like black flowers in shade. These climbing annuals will add a strong fragrance while they bloom for several weeks from spring to summer.

Zones: Annual

Height: Up to 6 feet tall

Growing conditions: Full sun to light shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil

Other Unique Plants and Garden Ideas

Update your backyard with unusual plants and garden ideas that add an unexpected and delightful touch. These purple-leaved plants will contrast with green leaves to enhance both hues. White Hydrangeas may not be as flashy as their pink and purple counterparts, but they're just as pretty. Silver-leaved plants make a statement and can break up an otherwise green expanse of foliage, whether in borders or beds. For a bold statement, go with an all-one-color garden.

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