Black is the color that is always in fashion to a greater or lesser degree. So it might not surprise you that it is also a color that is now championed in the garden. Black has always been the sophisticated, chic wardrobe color for the confident. It's the color of the business world, but also of the 'little black dress'. Yet in the garden, this dynamic color takes on a new role. It adds another dimension, bringing an air of mystery.

Black in the garden is an umbrella term for dark plants, that encompasses anything from brown through purple hues to black. Although black flowers and foliage do exist, they are relatively rare. The darkest foliage plant is Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' and the darkest flowers in cultivation are probably the bearded irises. I began researching black plants and color in general in the garden twenty years ago, and I am astonished at having brought together over 3,000 dark plants in my books 'Black Magic and Purple Passion'.

Yet I find that people are still edgy about how to plant black. This glorious color is easy to use in the garden - it combines well with just about any other color. There are a few golden rules to using black successfully in the garden. If translating from interior black and white color schemes, remember that you need to factor in the element of green foliage. So this is not my favorite color scheme for the garden. A color scheme of black and gold or black and silver foliage is preferable. It's like dressing up that little black dress with a gold chain or your favourite string of pearls. Black also goes well with bright colors and the flowers of black-foliaged plants are often found in bright reds, oranges and yellows.

Think subtle hues when putting black plants together and you have a tried and tested recipe for success. If it was solid black, it would not work. Yet those hints of blue, magenta or purple are what make the black garden work so well. Black can work in so many ways in the garden as a highlight or a black border. In my garden I use red-leaved Acers, Heucheras, Phormium and so much more to create a dark border. You know what Henry Ford said 'You can have it in any color as long as it's black'.

Purchase 'Black Magic and Purple Passion' 3rd edition describes over 2775 plants with over 425 color photographs, or the new 4th edition describes over 650 new plants not described before, and is available as an ebook only from www.karenplatt.co.uk

© Karen Platt 2009 text and images