9 Gorgeous Black Flowers That Will Make a Moody Statement in Your Garden

Queen of the Night Tulip

The Queen of the Night Tulip peeks its head through the dirt the same time as other tulips—late spring—only instead of a candy-colored spectrum it shows off a deep, near-black purple blossom. 

“This is the sleekest representation of this flower,” says Kaylyn Hewitt, lead floral designer for The Bouqs Co. “Planting these in your garden requires similar care to other varieties of tulip. They will bring a striking contrast to your springtime garden up against pastels.” Tulips grow best in zones 3 through 7, and prefer full sun and well-draining soil.

Midnight Mystic Hyacinth

While you won’t find a true black hyacinth, there are several very darkly colored variations including the Midnight Mystic and Deep Dimension. These are a beautiful near-black purple color, and grow similar to any other variety of this typically brightly-colored flower. 

“Hyacinths survive the winter in zones 4 through 8 and are springtime blooming bulbs,” says Chapple. “Replant each fall to ensure you have a lush, full bloom. You get one lovely spike off of each bulb. They are a delightful part of the spring and add color and fragrance to the garden or the home.” Ideal for zones 4 through 8, hyacinths thrive in full to partial sun and soil that's loose and loamy soil.

Dark Purple Pansy

Pansies can be traced back to Europe and western Asia, and have remained popular for their ability to tolerate both hot and cold weather and the variety of colors they come in, notes Rebecca Sears, CMO and resident green thumb at Ferry-Morse, a seed company. 

“Not only do they come in bright shades of blue, yellow, and white, but they also come in a dark purple shade that appears black and will look great in a darker-themed garden,” Sears says. “Because they can tolerate hot and cold conditions, they’re suitable to plant in any zone.” She adds that pansies prefer well-drained soil and full sun, but can also grow well in partial shade. They do best in zones 7 through 10.

Bat Flower

If you’re after a dazzling floral display that looks almost otherwordly, then the darkly hued bat flower is your winner. 

“This incredibly unique and rare flower gets its name because their petals resemble bat wings,” Hewitt says. “It originates from Asia and Australia and blooms in October and November—perfect timing for that Halloween-inspired garden or arrangement.” It grows best in zones 9B through 11 and prefers low-light conditions and well-draining, sturdy soil.

Hellebore “Midnight Ruffles”

Chapple says that she adores the hellebore flower because it is one of the first to bloom in the garden come springtime, and because it’s a perennial that you can enjoy year after year. The “Midnight Ruffles” variation features a velvet-y black color and two rows of petals. 

“These plants prefer shade and grow in zones three through nine. They are slow growing and rather costly, but worth the investment,” Chapple says. “You get several stems per season and they are an excellent cut flower.”

Black Roses

We’ll cut straight to the chase: There’s no such thing as a true black rose. However, Sears says that you can find roses that are dyed or sprayed black to get your inky floral fix. Also, you can find some roses in a dark purple, deep burgundy, or rich red shade that beautifully complements other black flowers in your garden or bouquet.

The perfect pick for zones 5 through 8, roses thrive in direct sunlight (at least six hours per day) and a nutrient-dense, well-draining soil. They also prefer zones 5 through 8. 

Black Dahlia

“I adore this type of dahlia not only for its color, but for the velvety texture the color gives the petals,” Hewitt says. “They are stunning in person and really draw you in with their deep burgundy shade.” 

The hue isn’t an actual black color, but more of a deep, moody crimson. Hewitt says that you can tend to them the same way you would any other dahlia. They show up in mid-summer and are done by the first frost. Plant them in an area that gets six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. They’ll thrive best in zones 8 through 11.

Hollyhock “Nigra”

If you’re seeking a captivating flower that stands tall, the hollyhock "nigra" is for you. This dark variation of the popular flower features spires of deep and velvety, maroon-black spiky flowers. 

“This flower grows to an extraordinary height and makes a big statement in gardens or large floral centerpieces,” Chapple says. “Hollyhock ‘Nigra’ grow in zones 3 through 9 and are biannual, which means you will need to replant every couple of years.” They do best in well-draining soil and full sun.

Burgundy and Purple Calla Lily

The calla lily is native to southern Africa and has been grown for ornamental purposes for centuries. “Calla lilies are known for their sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms, making them popular for bouquets,” Sears says. “White calla lilies are particularly common, but they also come in dark burgundy and purple shades that’ll look striking in the garden.” Calla lilies generally grow best in zones 8 through 10, prefer moist soil, and grow best in full sun or partial shade.