Christopher Michel has been the Senior Food and Gardens Editor at Country Living Magazine since March of 2021. Chris has over ten years of experience writing and editing for national magazines and websites, mostly in the food space, such as Cooking Light, The Kitchn, Rodale’s Organic Life, and Bon Appetit. Prior to that, Chris worked in a variety of food spaces in New York City. In 2022, Chris completed the Alabama Master Gardener’s Program hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.\n\n
Chris lives in Birmingham, AL, where he enjoys running, reading, and cooking for his wife and two girls. ","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/885f6924-54ab-4a1d-8d80-ede4f2391688_1623876544.jpg"},"@context":"http://schema.org","about":{"@type":"ItemList","numberOfItems":17,"itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Calla Lilly, Black Star (Zantedeschia aethiopica)","description":"The vibrant fluted flowers are absolutely stunning as a border flower. Pair them with traditional white calla lilies for extra effect.Hardiness: USDA Zones 8-10; can also be grown indoors or in containersCare Tips: Can be grown in full or part sun; water weekly during dry spells.Pet Safety: These are toxic to pets, as per the ASPCA.Related: 17 Types of Lilies You'll Love to Grow in Your Garden","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719943510-b7efd166997d64eefce510e56667803493fb8adff6f01747376a7871bf5a5fc3.jpg","sku":"burpee_002841","brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":"burpee"},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Calla Lilly, Black Star (Zantedeschia aethiopica)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.burpee.com/calla-lilly-black-star-prod002841.html","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"19.95","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"burpee"}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Petunia","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g61488428/beautiful-black-flowers-garden/?slide=2","description":"Petunias come in dozens of different colors, of course, and are a staple flower for hanging baskets and window boxes. Add a few black blooms for some serious drama.Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10; can also be grown indoors or in containersCare Tips: Drought and disease resistant, water weekly.Pet Safety: These are non-toxic to animals. ","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/black-petunia-flowers-in-bloom-royalty-free-image-1719941708.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Tulip","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g61488428/beautiful-black-flowers-garden/?slide=3","description":"Another flower that comes in a stunning variety of colors is the tulip. Adding a few of these dark beauties to the mix lends a sense of depth and dignity to a cheerful array. Hardiness Zones: Hardy outside in zones 4 to 8. Care Tips: Full to part sun. Water just after blooming, and weekly during dry conditions.Pet Safety: Keep all tulips away from pets, as they can be toxic.Read more: Here's Exactly How and When to Plant Tulips in Your Garden","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/black-gothic-tulip-this-is-a-triumph-tulip-royalty-free-image-1719941773.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Siberian Iris (Iridaceae sibirica)","description":"Many \"black\" flowers are more of a deep purple, but these irises are as close to a true black as it gets in the garden. The velvet color stands out and looks great in a cut-flower bouquet as well. Hardiness Zones: These will tolerate temperatures in zones 3 to 9 Care Tips: Both drought and wet-tolerant, These like full sun but can take partial shade.Pet Safety: Flowers in the iris family are toxic to pets. ","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719944808-siberian-iris-black-flowered-vis-6684463bbdac3.jpg","sku":null,"brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":null},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Siberian Iris (Iridaceae sibirica)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.edenbrothers.com/products/siberian-iris-black-flowered","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"15.80","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":""}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Black Hellebore","description":"What makes hellebore so striking is that they tend to bloom in the late winter. (They're often called Lenten roses, as they tend to bloom during Lent.) The deep purple-black of these dark petals will look especially strong against a late snow. Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9Care Tips: Plant in part sun to full shade. Water thoroughly once a week to establish.Pet Safety: Unfortunately these are toxic to pets. Find more winter blooming plants here.","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719943405-459141fb06628c73cc9751eba6ea4a03434ff43a6be19c5012949b38a5d19efd.jpg","sku":"burpee_099613","brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":"burpee"},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Black Hellebore","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.burpee.com/hellebore-wedding-party-dark-and-handsome-prod099613.html","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"21.95","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"burpee"}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":6,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Black Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g61488428/beautiful-black-flowers-garden/?slide=6","description":"Another winter-friendly plant is the pansy! They look delicate, but these cold-hardy plants are often sources of color during the cold months. Find dark black varieties and plant them to bloom around Halloween for a spooky effect! Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10, or plant in containersCare Tips: Plants started from seed should be grown indoors and kept moist. Can handle full sun to partial shade.Pet Safety: Not only are these safe for pets, but pansies are edible, and can be added to salads or used to decorate cakes!Find more edible flowers here. ","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/black-pansy-royalty-free-image-1719942399.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":7,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Black hollyhock (Alcea rosea 'Nigra')","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g61488428/beautiful-black-flowers-garden/?slide=7","description":"Hollyhock is one of those old-fashioned cottage garden flowers that are perfect for a back border, or to add height to a garden. Black hollyhock can look especially stately.Hardiness Zones: Biennial in zones 3 to 9, or plant as annuals.Care Tips: Give full sun and water only during dry spells.Pet Safety: Nontoxic to pets. Find more classic plants for an old-fashioned garden right here.","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/flower-of-alcea-rosea-nigra-known-as-black-royalty-free-image-1719942531.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":8,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)","description":"Note that there is a plant commonly called the \"black sunflower,\" Wyethia amplexicaulis, that is neither black nor a true sunflower. But there are also varieties of true sunflower, such as this ProCut Red, pictured, that are deep purple and almost black. Rising as much as six feet tall with their customary huge blooms, These stunning flowers make great cut flowers for vases. Hardiness Zones: Grow as annuals in any zone.Care Tips: Plant in spring, in full sun. Water to establish; they're drought tolerant after that.Pet Safety: Sunflowers are edible, and non-toxic to pets!More: 15 Different Types of Sunflowers to Plant In Your Garden","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719943758-sunflower-procut-red-hen-1.jpg","sku":"sunflower-procut-red","brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":null},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.edenbrothers.com/products/sunflower-procut-red","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"6.89","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"edenbrothers"}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":9,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Black Dahlia","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g61488428/beautiful-black-flowers-garden/?slide=9","description":"The phrase \"black dahlia\" has a gruesome backstory: Elizabeth Short, the victim of an unsolved murder from 1947, was dubbed \"The Black Dahlia\" by the press. (It's the subject of one of our favorite true-crime podcasts.) However, actual black dahlias exist, and can make a gorgeous, if slightly macabre addition to your garden! More of a deep, deep purple, these giant flowers make an excellent part of any cut flower garden. Hardiness Zones: Perennial in zones 8 to 11, they are typically grown as annuals elsewhere.Care Tips: Wait to water until shoots appear, then water weekly at most. Give full sun.Pet Safety: Can be toxic to pets. More: How to Care for Dahlias in Your Garden","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/black-dahlia-flower-royalty-free-image-1719944009.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":10,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Hyacinth 'Dark Dimension'","description":"Like beehive hairdos or oversized blackberries on short stalks, those cones of hyacinth flowers peppering a garden or perched in a pot look like nothing else. They're available in every color of the rainbow, too, from brilliant white to that rarest of flower colors: bright blue. So it shouldn't surprise that they can also be found in lovely shades so dark they look black! Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8Care Tips: Plant bulbs in the fall for spring blooming. Look for full sun to partial shade.Pet Safety: These are toxic to pets. Read more: 16 Best Flower Bulbs to Plant in the Fall","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719944662-hyacinth-dark-dimension-vis-1-668445ab8f1d1.jpg","sku":null,"brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":null},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Hyacinth 'Dark Dimension'","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.edenbrothers.com/products/hyacinth-bulbs-dark-dimension","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"19.99","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":""}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":11,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Persian Lily (Fritillaria persica)","description":"Spring blooming, these lily relatives will definitely attract attention—both from guests and from pollinators! Plant the bulbs in the fall to enjoy spring blooms.Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7Care Tips: Prefers sun, but can tolerate some shade, these drought-tolerant flowers are also deer resistant!Pet Safety: Keep away from pets; these are generally considered toxic.","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719944177-fritillaria-persica-1.jpg","sku":null,"brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":null},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Persian Lily (Fritillaria persica)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.edenbrothers.com/products/fritillaria-persica","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"16.79","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"edenbrothers"}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":12,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Sedum, Back in Black","description":"We're fans of sedum's easy care and curious flowers—especially Autumn Joy sedum. But we'd be remiss not to recommend this stunning statement piece: A bush with both black leaves and flowers! This beauty will stand out wherever you plant it. Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9Care Tips: This plant loves lots of sun and poor, dry soil that drains well. Water thoroughly once a week until established; drought tolerant after that. Pet Safety: Sedum tends to be non-toxic, but it's best to keep away from pets.","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1720458523-black-sedum-668c1d1685f72.jpg","sku":null,"brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":null},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Sedum, Back in Black","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.burpee.com/catalog/product/view/id/21571/s/sedum-back-in-black-prod600185/","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"13.95","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Burpee"}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":13,"item":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Black Rose 'Zwartkop' Succulent (Aeonium arboreum)","url":"https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g61488428/beautiful-black-flowers-garden/?slide=13","description":"These beautiful succulent shrubs can be grown outdoors in arid, warm areas, or can be grown inside in containers. Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11, or grow in containers or as a houseplantCare Tips: Give partial shade to full sun and, as with all succulents water only when soil is quite dry.Pet Safety: generally not considered toxic to petsRead more: The Complete Guide to Growing Succulents","image":"https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/aeonium-arboreum-zwartkop-black-rose-royalty-free-image-1719945219.jpg"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":14,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Pincushion Flowers (Scabiosa atropurpurea)","description":"These purple flowers come in a variety of hues, but the varietal 'Black Knight' is nearly black. With a wildflower appearance, there are large blooms on tall stems. These look best when planted in abundance.Hardiness Zones: 4 to 11, or grown as an annualCare Tips: Plant in full sun areas and water lightly, only during droughts.Pet Safety: This plant is non-toxic as per the ASPCA.","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719945672-prod000364_main.jpg","sku":"burpee_000364","brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":"burpee"},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Pincushion Flowers (Scabiosa atropurpurea)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.burpee.com/scabiosa-summer-berries-mixed-colors-prod000364.html","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"4.45","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"burpee"}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":15,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri)","description":"These stunning tropical plants need plenty of TLC, but in return deliver a flower unlike any other, with long distinctive \"whiskers\" and sharp, pointy \"ears.\" Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11, but mostly grown as a houseplant or in containersCare Tips: These are fussy tropical plants that need plenty of water, indirect light, and humidity (50% or more). Pet Safety: There is disagreement about whether this is toxic to pets. It's best to keep pets away. ","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1720009155-black-bat-flower-shk-1.jpg","sku":null,"brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":null},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVN11D8W","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"8.90","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amazon"}},{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.walmart.com/ip/5321236439?selected=true","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"13.90","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Walmart"}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":16,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"Poppy 'Midnight' (Papaver somniferum)","description":"This super dark varietal of the ornamental poppy is technically deep red, but to most it will look nearly black. If you have poppies anywhere in your garden, these will add a striking color to the mix! Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9Care Tips: Plant directly outdoors in full sun to part shade, in well draining soil. Do not cover seeds, but keep soil moist. Pet Safety: These are toxic if ingestedLearn: The Surprising History Behind the Red Poppy","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719945991-poppy-midnight-1.jpg","sku":"poppy-seeds-midnight","brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":"Poppy"},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"Poppy 'Midnight' (Papaver somniferum)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.edenbrothers.com/products/poppy-seeds-midnight","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"4.49","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"edenbrothers"}}]}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":17,"item":{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Product","name":"King of Blacks Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus)","description":"With their classic crepe-paper appearance and huge, unfussy jumble of petals, carnations are a delight, whether they're growing in a garden or filling out a bouquet.The 'King of Blacks' varietal has a deep purple hue that is guaranteed to draw attention! Hardiness Zones: 5 to 10Care Tips: Plant in full sun to part shade in spring or fall and divide clumps every few years. Water went planting and during drought conditions.Pet Safety: These are, according to the ASPCA, toxic to pets. Read more: How to Grow Carnations","image":"https://vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1719946901-black-carnation-66844e8be11ee.jpg","sku":"2176291401","brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":null},"review":{"@type":"Review","name":"King of Blacks Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Michel"}]},"offers":[{"@type":"Offer","url":"https://www.walmart.com/ip/2176291401?selected=true","priceCurrency":"USD","price":"4.00","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","offeredBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Walmart"}}]}}]}}
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If you've ever daydreamed about becoming a professional flower farmer or landscape designer, you know the allure of garden planning. It's not just about filling out the beds, but also getting the right mix of heights and shapes — as well as making sure there's something in bloom, or with interesting foliage, as much as possible.
But primarily, designing a beautiful garden is about color! To avoid color fatigue, you want to include just the right bursts of colors in just the right places, to draw the eye, to delight, and to enchant.
And every once in a while it pays to surprise. For those moments, you won't find something more surprising than black flowers!
Whether you're designing a spooky Halloween-themed fall plot for your front yard, you want to break up the space between pinks and whites with something more visually distinctive, black flowers are like the spice in a classic recipe: all you need is a little, but the whole thing seems bland without it.
To help you plan out your next garden, we've collected our favorite black flowers. Some are super easy to grow and widely available. Others are more rare and fussy—but with flowers that are worth the effort. Some bloom in the spring, but most bloom when black looks best — in the fall or even winter, when they're most likely to stand out.
Whether you're looking for a houseplant that'll pop against a white wall, or a garden border that won't look like everyone else's, these black plants are beautiful and distinctive!
More Floral Color Collections from Country Living:
Petunias come in dozens of different colors, of course, and are a staple flower for hanging baskets and window boxes. Add a few black blooms for some serious drama.
Hardiness Zones:USDA Zones 8-10; can also be grown indoors or in containers
Care Tips: Drought and disease resistant, water weekly.
Another flower that comes in a stunning variety of colors is the tulip. Adding a few of these dark beauties to the mix lends a sense of depth and dignity to a cheerful array.
Hardiness Zones: Hardy outside in zones 4 to 8.
Care Tips: Full to part sun. Water just after blooming, and weekly during dry conditions.
Many "black" flowers are more of a deep purple, but these irises are as close to a true black as it gets in the garden. The velvet color stands out and looks great in a cut-flower bouquet as well.
Hardiness Zones: These will tolerate temperatures in zones 3 to 9
Care Tips: Both drought and wet-tolerant, These like full sun but can take partial shade.
What makes hellebore so striking is that they tend to bloom in the late winter. (They're often called Lenten roses, as they tend to bloom during Lent.) The deep purple-black of these dark petals will look especially strong against a late snow.
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Care Tips: Plant in part sun to full shade. Water thoroughly once a week to establish.
Another winter-friendly plant is the pansy! They look delicate, but these cold-hardy plants are often sources of color during the cold months. Find dark black varieties and plant them to bloom around Halloween for a spooky effect!
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10, or plant in containers
Care Tips: Plants started from seed should be grown indoors and kept moist. Can handle full sun to partial shade.
Pet Safety: Not only are these safe for pets, but pansies are edible, and can be added to salads or used to decorate cakes!
Hollyhock is one of those old-fashioned cottage garden flowers that are perfect for a back border, or to add height to a garden. Black hollyhock can look especially stately.
Hardiness Zones: Biennial in zones 3 to 9, or plant as annuals.
Care Tips: Give full sun and water only during dry spells.
Note that there is a plant commonly called the "black sunflower," Wyethia amplexicaulis, that is neither black nor a true sunflower.
But there are also varieties of true sunflower, such as this ProCut Red, pictured, that are deep purple and almost black. Rising as much as six feet tall with their customary huge blooms, These stunning flowers make great cut flowers for vases.
Hardiness Zones: Grow as annuals in any zone.
Care Tips: Plant in spring, in full sun. Water to establish; they're drought tolerant after that.
Pet Safety: Sunflowers are edible, and non-toxic to pets!
The phrase "black dahlia" has a gruesome backstory: Elizabeth Short, the victim of an unsolved murder from 1947, was dubbed "The Black Dahlia" by the press. (It's the subject of one of our favorite true-crime podcasts.)
However, actual black dahlias exist, and can make a gorgeous, if slightly macabre addition to your garden! More of a deep, deep purple, these giant flowers make an excellent part of any cut flower garden.
Hardiness Zones: Perennial in zones 8 to 11, they are typically grown as annuals elsewhere.
Care Tips: Wait to water until shoots appear, then water weekly at most. Give full sun.
Like beehive hairdos or oversized blackberries on short stalks, those cones of hyacinth flowers peppering a garden or perched in a pot look like nothing else.
They're available in every color of the rainbow, too, from brilliant white to that rarest of flower colors: bright blue. So it shouldn't surprise that they can also be found in lovely shades so dark they look black!
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Care Tips: Plant bulbs in the fall for spring blooming. Look for full sun to partial shade.
Spring blooming, these lily relatives will definitely attract attention—both from guests and from pollinators! Plant the bulbs in the fall to enjoy spring blooms.
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Care Tips: Prefers sun, but can tolerate some shade, these drought-tolerant flowers are also deer resistant!
Pet Safety: Keep away from pets; these are generally considered toxic.
We're fans of sedum's easy care and curious flowers—especially Autumn Joy sedum. But we'd be remiss not to recommend this stunning statement piece: A bush with both black leaves and flowers! This beauty will stand out wherever you plant it.
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Care Tips: This plant loves lots of sun and poor, dry soil that drains well. Water thoroughly once a week until established; drought tolerant after that.
Pet Safety: Sedum tends to be non-toxic, but it's best to keep away from pets.
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13
Black Rose 'Zwartkop' Succulent (Aeonium arboreum)
Firdausiah Mamat//Getty Images
These beautiful succulent shrubs can be grown outdoors in arid, warm areas, or can be grown inside in containers.
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11, or grow in containers or as a houseplant
Care Tips: Give partial shade to full sun and, as with all succulents water only when soil is quite dry.
Pet Safety: generally not considered toxic to pets
These purple flowers come in a variety of hues, but the varietal 'Black Knight' is nearly black. With a wildflower appearance, there are large blooms on tall stems. These look best when planted in abundance.
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 11, or grown as an annual
Care Tips: Plant in full sun areas and water lightly, only during droughts.
These stunning tropical plants need plenty of TLC, but in return deliver a flower unlike any other, with long distinctive "whiskers" and sharp, pointy "ears."
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11, but mostly grown as a houseplant or in containers
Care Tips: These are fussy tropical plants that need plenty of water, indirect light, and humidity (50% or more).
Pet Safety: There is disagreement about whether this is toxic to pets. It's best to keep pets away.
This super dark varietal of the ornamental poppy is technically deep red, but to most it will look nearly black. If you have poppies anywhere in your garden, these will add a striking color to the mix!
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Care Tips: Plant directly outdoors in full sun to part shade, in well draining soil. Do not cover seeds, but keep soil moist.
With their classic crepe-paper appearance and huge, unfussy jumble of petals, carnations are a delight, whether they're growing in a garden or filling out a bouquet.
The 'King of Blacks' varietal has a deep purple hue that is guaranteed to draw attention!
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 10
Care Tips: Plant in full sun to part shade in spring or fall and divide clumps every few years. Water went planting and during drought conditions.
