Black and Purple Flowers for the Pond
Dark Contrast Blooms and Foliage for Water Gardens
Oct 10, 2009
Dark water, dark flowers: choosing dark flowers for the water garden opens up a host of decorative options. Complement black and purple flowers with grey stonework, perhaps a waterfall or a fountain. Contrast these flowers with white flowers or brilliant tones or red, pink or blue for a garden of differences. Pair black or purple flowers with variegated foliage in white, yellow, and green tones to create a subtle contrast effect near the pond. Whatever the reason, growing dark purple and black flowers near the pond adds a new dimension to a water garden.
The Origin of Black Flowers
Black is the color that is created when an object absorbs all color. In a way, it’s the anti-color. Black flowers have been grown since Victorian times, but they are quite rare in nature. Generally, a very dark flower has been bred to be so. In truth, black flowers are not actually black. They tend to be a very, very deep purple or blue, so dark that at first glance they appear black. Since black flowers are so rare, people find them to be exotic and they are often sought after in gardens for their oddball flowers.
A Black and White Pond Garden
Use a black and white-themed pond garden to draw attention to dark and moving water. A water garden that integrates fountains, waterfalls, and other water features and complements them with plants that have black and white flowers and foliage is a stunning garden indeed! White flowers pair with moving water, while dark flowers pair with still water. It’s a perfect garden for meditation.
Combine Black and Purple Flowers with Lighter Flowers for Contrast
For a visually exciting garden, combine the dark tones of black, brown, blue, and purple flowers with plants that feature lighter foliage and flowers. Combine rushes and sedges with lighter foliage with plants that feature dark flowers. Or choose variegated fern species and complement the light fern fronds with black and purple flowers. There are many striking combinations to be made in the wet areas of the garden.
Plant Species With Black or Dark Brown, Purple or Blue Flowers
What plants have dark flowers and enjoy living in wetter areas? The following plants are suitable for the pond garden:
Black or Purple Violas and Pansies: These sweet flowers are lovely in clusters around the base of a water feature or around the edges of the pond.
Irises: Many irises come in fantastic shades of purple and blue. These are natural pond-dwellers and work well as a pond edge species.
Hostas: For those who are looking for a combination of light foliage and dark flowers, hosta varieties with large variegated leaves are a perfect choice.
Honeywort (Cerinthe major) is a plant that is native to Italy and Greece. It thrives in wet soil and has tubular dark purple flowers.
Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) is a very dark reddish-brown. It also comes with a bonus – the scent of chocolate emanates from this flower in the evening. While cosmos thrives in well-drained soil, it can deal with moisture fairly well.
Black Beauty Elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Gerda') has stunning dark purple foliage and purple flowers. It is a shrub that adores wet places.
As contrast flowers, black, purple, brown and dark blue flowers are some of the best. They contrast well with light-colored flowers, white flowers, and variegated foliage. Choose dark flowers that love damp soil, and grow a stunning pond garden that offers interest and diversity to the eye.
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