With gardening season quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about what flowers and plants to add to the garden this year. For those who have established or wish to create a gothic or Victorian black garden theme, it can be especially challenging to find something new and exciting in the “black” flower and plant categories. Thankfully, Burpee has come out with some new black flowers and fruits for 2016. Here we take a look at these selections which are sure to delight any gardener, especially those who love the deep, rich colors found in gothic gardens. Enjoy perennials, annuals, flowers, fruits and vegetables, all which fit in with the “black” flower and plant categories.
Helleborus, Wedding Party Dark And Handsome
A vigorous and abundantly flowering perennial plant, the Dark and Handsome Helleborus is one of the new black plants for 2016 that will add a touch of drama to any garden. Plant blooms in the winter for a period of eight weeks, showing off beautiful purple-black double flowers 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter. Plants quickly naturalize and will multiply and spread densely in moist, shady locations. Grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches and thrives in growing zones 4 through 9. Plant in a location that receives full shade.
Helleborus, Wedding Party Dark and Handsome
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Jackpot Tulip, A Triumph In Burgundy
One of the new black flowers, this is a gorgeous tulip shade that will come back year after year to bring flowers of a deep burgundy color with cream colored edges. Great for mass plantings and works well with other tulips in contrasting colors. Blooms in mid to late spring in growing zones 3 through 8. Prefers full sun and grows 18 to 20 inches tall.
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Petunia, Sophistica Blackberry Hybrid
This petunia boasts deep burgundy-black flowers with reddish-burgundy undertones and dark green foliage. Works well in beds, window boxes, and borders. This annual grows well in full sun and reaches 10 to 15 inches tall and spreads out 10 to 12 inches wide. Makes a stunning addition to any garden or container planting.
Petunia, Sophistica Blackberry Hybrid
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Dianthus, Sweet Black Cherry
This plant produces a steady show of deep red colored blooms with a sweet fragrance. Plants grow to be 18 to 36 inches tall and prefer full sun. Produces blooms from early spring into the autumn months. Low maintenance plants tolerate heat and frost well and are also deer resistant. Works well in borders, container plantings, and also makes an excellent choice for cut flowers.
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Agapanthus Orientalis, Black Pantha
This perennial produces flowers that start as almost black buds that open into a deep violet blue color. Grows in full sun in growing zones 7 to 11. May be planted in either spring or fall and grows to a height of 12 to 36 inches tall and spreads out 24 to 36 inches. Ideal for use in flower beds and borders and for cut flowers.
Agapanthus orientalis, Black Pantha
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Currant, Consort Black
One of the new black plants for 2016 can also be used to make old fashioned tasty jams and jellies. Consort Black Currant grows as an upright , multi-stemmed shrub that bears fragrant flowers in the spring and produces clusters of medium-sized , black, sweet-tart fruits in late summer. In the fall the plants boasts brilliant reddish orange foliage. Currant fruits are also an excellent source of Vitamin C. This perennial bush grows in full sun in growing zones 3 through 7 and reaches 48 to 60 inches tall.
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Fig, Violette de Bordeaux
Considered to be the finest tasting fig, this plant produces small to medium sized purple-black figs with deep red pulp and rich, sweet flavor. Plants will thrive even in extreme heat, humidity, and drought conditions. Grows in zones 5 to 8 and reaches a height of 72 to 120 inches. Fig bush prefers full sun. Plants also have a strong resistance to pests and diseases. Fig fruits can be enjoyed either fresh or dried for a tasty treat.
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Radish, Black Spanish Round
These radish seeds can be directly sown in the ground and will mature in 53 to 70 days. This is a winter variety radish that has been popular in Europe since the 1500’s. This variety is well known for being easy to grow, having a long storage life, and for its medicinal properties. Radishes have black skins and 3 to 4 inch turnip shaped globes, with a spicy, crisp, pungent, pure white flesh inside. Provides a great way to extend the life of your vegetable garden into the winter months.
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Kale, Black Magic
This kale variety is an improvement upon the heirloom Tuscan variety and grows well in full sun. Kale matures in a period of 65 to 80 days and grows to be 24 to 36 inches tall. Known for its tasty flavor and high nutritional value, kale adds a nice compliment to dishes such as salads, soups, and stir fry recipes.This is a strappy, dark green variety that is bet enjoyed fresh when leaves are harvest young at six inches or less. For use in gourmet recipes, leaves can left to mature before harvesting. Makes a tasty addition to any vegetable garden and will keep you well stocked with kale throughout the summer. Seeds can be started indoors or sown directly outdoors.
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Blackberry, Triple Crown
While not one of the new black plants for 2016, the Triple Crown Blackberry is an old customer favorite that is certainly worthy of mention. Enjoy over five weeks of production of these sweet,juicy fruits that grown on thornless plants. Plant in growing zones 5 through 8 in full sun. Plants grow to be 48 to 96 inches tall and stand upright, forming a sturdy hedge with canes that can support several pounds of fruit, without the need for a trellis. Perennial plants are easy to grow and maintain and provide an abundance of tasty berries that can be eaten as a snack as is, or used in dessert or fruit sauce recipes. Blackberries also make delicious homemade jams. Use your harvest for healthy snacking and summer desserts such as cobblers and pies, then use the surplus for canned items such as jams and sauces that can be enjoyed all year long.
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