I am occasionally asked about black roses, usually by people wanting something dramatic, unusual, romantic, or a little gothic. True black roses, however, do not occur naturally in the garden.
Most roses sold as “black roses” are actually very dark red, burgundy, maroon, or brownish-red roses. In soft light, shade, or a florist arrangement, the deepest blooms can look almost black, especially if the petals have a velvety texture.
Dyed black roses are also sold by florists, but that is different from growing a naturally black rose bush. If you want a black-looking rose for the garden, the closest option is usually a very dark red variety.
Growing Dark Roses in the Garden
Very dark roses can be stunning, but they do not always look as black in the garden as they do in catalog photos. Bright sun can make the color appear redder, while heat may cause dark petals to scorch or fade more quickly.
They usually show their richest color in cooler weather, morning or late afternoon light, or against a pale background where the deep color has something to contrast with.
For that reason, I think dark roses are best chosen for mood and drama, rather than expecting a perfectly black flower. A deep crimson or burgundy rose can still be beautiful, even if it never becomes truly black.
Black Baccara Rose: These are very deep and dark red colored roses mainly grown for the cut flower market. To be honest, there isn’t a whole lot to like about this rose. It’s not particularly hardy, tempremental, no fragrance, and not worth the effort to grow as a garden specimen.
While it does look lovely in an arrangement, or in a bunch, I feel it’s best left for the professionals to grow. To get a really dark red, the light has to be controlled, and that’s just not feasible in a garden setting.
Black Magic Roses: Black Magic is a deep red colored Hybrid Tea, that is close to black in the right light. Long stemmed and very fragrant, these are well suited to warmer climates, happiest in zones 6-9.
Black Beauty Rose: Black beauty is a hybrid tea rose. The young bud and the reverse of the rose appears black. The bloom of the rose is large and opens up as scarlet red in color. Mild fragrance. The shrub can reach the height of 4 feet and is hardy for USDA zones 5 to 9.
Black Ice Rose: Black Ice rose is a lovely looking deep red colored rose. The name Black Ice is derived from the parent Iceberg roses. Sadly, it takes after its parents, having little scent. You will frequently see retailers refer to a rose as having “mild fragrance”. This really is little more than a polite way of saying it has none.
Explore Other Rose Colors
