Dark border.

Hi All,

I am planning a border with dark foliaged/flowered plants.
I already have Heuchera plum pudding and I would like Sambucus Nigra, Aquilegia Miss MI Huish, Sedum Purple Emperor, Tulip Queen of the Night and possibly Hollyhock Black Knight. The border gets full sun until about 2pm them semi shade. I would like as much all year round interest as possible, and would like to grow as much from seed a possible. The Sambucus and Sedum I will buy. They need to be hardy perennials,although I may consider some pots with annuals. Has anyone got any other suggestions, for me to consider?

Rusty

 

What about some dahlia red skin for the annuals, black mondo grass, pennisetum purple majesty,

 

Thanks Mowgley,

Dahlias are no good, I planted 12 this year and the slugs have wiped them out. The black mondo grass, pennisetum purple majesty, are definitely a possibility though.

Rusty

 

A few ideas;

Black Pansy. Much as I dislike Pansies I'm growing this again next year as it is genuinely damned near black - more than this photo suggests....................


For spring there are the Fritillaries;
F.camchatcensis.................


F.elwessii.....................


F.persica.....................


Not totally black, but Hermodactylus tuberosus is worth seeking out..................


Eucomis "Sparkling Burgundy".....................


Roscoea scillifolia.....................

 

Cotinus Royal Purple. It's rich dark purple rather than black, though.

 

For the border you could try Bronze Fennel which has lovely deep red feathery foliage.
For annuals in summer pots, try Surfinia 'Burgundy' or Petunia 'Pinstripe'.

 

Another idea for an annual is scabious black knight



I grew them from seed this year and they're still flowering.

 

Thanks all, lots for me to check out there.

Rust

 

I went to a garden center that is a 5 minute detour,to look for some tulip bulbs on the way home from work. The bulbs were £7.99 for fill a bag ( about 22 bulbs), I thought this was too much, so I went to leave, when I noticed a sign "70% off plants" I thought they would be a bit scratty, but found a Phormium black knight reduced from £16.99 to £5.10. So that is the first plant for the border.

Rusty.

 

Keep an eye out for Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' in the bargain bins, Rusty.

 

@rustyroots ....for an annual Dahlia 'Happy Days' has cracking dark foliage
Not the best picture but you get the gist

 

How about iris 'Chrysographes' I grew mine from seed, a few flowered the second year the rest the third.

And another dead easy perennial which can be found online from specialist daylily suppliers or sometimes ebay,
Daylily 'Night Beacon'

 

I know it's not a flower/shrub....but i think this Kale would look quite good too

 

I like the Kale Loli, I didn't realise they could grow that tall.

 

The Kale makes a good border filler - like that idea!

Lovely coloured pansy Longk.