Wednesday, April 2, 2008

What is our fascination with black flowers?

What is our fascination with black flowers? Maybe it’s their exotic beauty. Maybe it's because they are not growing in our neighbors gardens. Most are not actually black but very dark maroons and purples that appear almost black.
With some plants it’s the leaves or parts of the leaves that appear black like Black Dragon coleus whose red, tongue shaped leaves are edged in black. Or maybe the Christmas Pepper Black Pearl whose leaves turn a glossy black at maturity.
While most people have heard of the black pansy Black Jack, the Sorbet series has added the Black Delight which is pure black, and Blackberry Cream which is deep purple with a cream center. As for the Giant Pansies there is Halloween II which is black with a yellow eye, and Black Prince which is true black.
There is the poppy Black Peony which is a fully double poppy in the deepest of reds. The Prado Red Shades sunflower is such a dark red that it appears almost black. This would look really good against a white colored house.

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