Top 10 Dark Colored Flowers That Are Almost Black

Dark and Handsome Hellebore

Helleborus ‘Dark and Handsome’, Zones 4 to 9

Part of the Wedding Party series, Dark and Handsome steals your heart with black-purple good looks. Hellebores thrive in part to full shade. After the blooms fade, attractive leathery green foliage remains.

Why we love it: This sturdy chap stands its ground when facing ravaging deer and rabbits and quickly naturalizes in woodland gardens.

Amp up the drama in your garden with these striking burgundy perennial flowers.

Chocolate Cosmos

Cosmos atrosanguineus, Zones 9 to 11 or Annual

Chocolate cosmos sprout from tender tubers that can be grown as annuals or brought inside for winter in cold climates. They ultimately reach up to 30 inches tall, growing best in a sunny garden patch. They shine from midsummer into fall and are easy to care for.

Why we love it: This cosmos is an absolutely luscious, calorie-free form of chocolate. The smell of the blooms even brings to mind red velvet cake.

Black Barlow Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Black Barlow’, Zones 3 to 9

This deep maroon, almost black double-petaled columbine adds drama to a late spring garden. Grow this 24- to 30-inch perennial in sun or part shade. It’s short-lived, but it self-sows like a champ.

Why we love it: The flower sounds as if it was named after a pirate, and it may rebloom if it’s deadheaded.

Black Knight Hollyhock

Alcea rosea ‘Black Knight’, Zones 4 to 9

Black Knight scores with deep purple-black blooms even in its first year. If planted in full sun, this 5- to 6-foot-tall butterfly and hummingbird magnet will readily self-sow. Here’s a plan for the perfect butterfly garden.

Why we love it: It’s truly a perennial, not a biennial like most hollyhocks. It also grows within range of troublesome black walnut tree roots and resists rust.

Black Iris

Iris chrysographes, Zones 4 to 8

It’s hard to find a true black flower, but this iris is very close. Grow it in sun to part shade among perennials with rounded leaves so its spiky plumes peek out of the mounds. Irises attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and they make lovely, velvety dark cut flowers.

Why we love it: Blooms are elegantly held aloft slender 18- to 20-inch green stalks.

Halloween Improved Pansy

Viola x wittrockiana ‘Halloween Improved’, Zones 6 to 8

This black pansy is all treat, no trick—a step up from a pansy named Halloween II. Halloween Improved has fewer white stripes and more blooms than its predecessor. Plant this cool-season favorite in spring or fall.

Why we love it: It’s spookily pretty and very festive when paired with orange pansies.

Persian Lily

Fritillaria persica, Zones 4 to 8

Persian lilies provide architectural intensity to a spring garden, with 20 to 30 dark plum, bell-shaped blooms lining up in alternating rows on slender stalks.

Why we love it: Though around since 1573, this perennial is still not widely planted. The blue-gray deer-resistant foliage alone makes it worth a shot.

Black Satin Dahlia

Dahlia ‘Black Satin’, Zones 8 to 11

Growing 4 to 6 feet tall, this formal decorative dahlia produces large pompon flowers. The chocolaty poufs are edged with a deep burgundy flare.

Why we love it: One of the biggest perks is that the more flowers you cut, the more flowers you will get. Snip the long stems to pair with brightly colored blooms, creating an uplifting accent. Here are more gorgeous types of dahlias for your garden.

Queen of Night Tulip

Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’, Zones 3 to 8

Glistening deep maroon petals masquerade as black. Pair this queen with these white honeymoon tulips for spectacular look. Plant bulbs during fall spring flowers. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.

Why we love it: A favorite since the 1940s, Queen of Night is as mysterious as tulips get. If you want more petals, check out Black Hero.

Crazytunia Black Mamba

Petunia hybrid ‘Crazytunia Black Mamba’, Zones 9 to 11 or Annual

Velvety and dark, many gardeners say these are the best almost-black petunias you can grow. Plant these branching petunias in full sun for the best bloom power. Hummingbirds love them, even without bright color.

Why we love it: No deadheading needed! The old flowers drop off as they start to wilt.