Burgundy Plants and Flowers Are the New Black
Dozens of plants boast dark foliage or flowers, including these favorites.
By:
Felder Rushing
Burgundy Is the New Black
Burgundy is the rage in flower shows and hot new gardens and can be found in all types of plants.
Burgundy Foliage
Rich burgundy foliage adds drama to any plant combination.
Burgundy Border in England
This burgundy border is at Kiftsgate Court, a fantastic but often-overlooked garden on the edge of the Cotswold region of central England.
Japanese Red Maple
Japanese red maple, Acer palmatum Atropurpeum, is perhaps the most commonly-planted burgundy foliage tree.
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
Red leaf redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy') is a hardy small native tree with lustrous burgundy foliage.
Prunus persica 'Bonfire'
Many fruit plants, from redleaf grape to this peach tree named 'Bonfire' can have burgundy foliage.
'Helmond Pillar'
Of the many, many burgundy Japanese barberries, 'Helmond Pillar' (Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea) also has an interesting, useful upright form.
'Hot Spice'
Loropetalum chinensis, sometimes called Chinese witchhazel, typically has burgundy foliage and hot pink flowers.
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Physocarpus opulifolius, commonly called ninebark, is an upright, spreading, somewhat coarse, deciduous, native shrub with white summer flowers.
Calycanthus floridus
Native sweetshrub has burgundy spring flowers with a delicious spicy fragrance.
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Applause'
'Applause' is one of several native oakleaf hydrangeas with burgundy touches in its foliage.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Dark Angel'
'Dark Angel' hydrangea is a popular new introduction with deep burgundy foliage and vibrant flower colors.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Black Diamond Blush'
'Black Diamond Blush' is one of many new crape myrtles with deep burgundy foliage contrasting with their bright pink, red, or white flowers.
Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'
Though its pink relative is invasive, this deep burgundy-leaf mimosa is quite a specimen in the garden.
Southwest Native Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea')
The fast-growing shrub called hop bush, native to the desert Southwest, makes a shrub nearly twenty feet tall, and has burgundy foliage. it will tolerate temperatures down to the mid-teens (F) and extreme drought.
Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'
Ajuga is a commonplace groundcover, but this dark, coppery-burgundy one makes a great foil to taller or spiky-foliage dark plants such as black mondo grass.
Black Ligularia dentata 'Britt Marie Crawford'
Deep and dark foliage contrasted with brilliant flowers makes this shade-loving perennial a must for the dramatic border or Goth garden!
Actea Simplex
Previously named Cimicifuga, the native perennial 'Prichards Giant' cultivar has deep dark foliage topped by pinkish white flower wands in mid to late summer, and is perfect as a dark accent in either sun or part shade.
Tropicanna Canna
While there are cannas with dark, almost black foliage, 'Tropicanna' makes a good color bridge between darker red and maroon plants and the rest of the garden.
Dark Burgundy Millet and Tropicanna Canna
Of the several dark-foliage ornamental grasses, the annual grain called millet has several with near-black foliage and seed heads, making it very dramatic as an accent specimen or mass-planting.
Purple Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky')
'Cheyenne Sky' is one of several outstanding native switchgrasses with burgundy tipped foliage. There are other ornamental grasses with all-burgundy foliage, but this one is best in masses or naturalistic settings.
Heuchera 'Frosted Violet', 'Sparkling Burgundy', 'Harvest Burgundy', and 'Amethyst Mist'.
Native heucheras and closely related heucherallas can be found with deep dark foliage and flowers.
Hellebore for Winter Foliage and Flowers
The most traditional Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) has dark foliage and mid-winter flowers that are all-burgundy or speckled.
Burgundy Lobelia (L.cardinalis)
'Queen Victoria' is a spreading native perennial with burgundy foliage and red flowers for shade and wetland gardens.
Burgundy Sedum
There are quite a few cold- and drought-hardy sedums with deep red, maroon or burgundy foliage. 'Bertam Anderson' is a medium-size perennial for containers, rock, or cascading wall gardens.
Red Knotweed (Persicaria microcephala 'Red dragon')
This spreading perennial can tolerate hard freezes, and is a stunning addition to the middle of a flower border.
Burgundy Onion (Allium 'Red Mohican')
Many bulbs, including crinums and this iridescent allium, and near-bulbs like gladiolus, iris, daylily, and canna, have deep maroon or burgundy foliage or flowers.
Red Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
Big and bold, this incredibly drought-tolerant annual makes a huge splash in any garden. Be aware that its seeds can be very poisonous if eaten—if children are likely to get close, snip off the flowers after they fade.
Bloodleaf (Iresine herbstii 'Brilliantissima')
Now popular as a mass plant or filler in big borders at botanic gardens, this rugged old "pass-along" plant has gotten a huge boost with designers.
Red Amaranth (A. erythrostachys)
Many annuals, including this big, bold reddish amaranth, have stunning foliage as well as striking flowers.
Burgundy Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus 'Burgundy')
Even if you don't want to eat okra, this one is a stunning addition to the flower garden...and it's not bad to eat, either!
Black Phormium Tenax 'All Black'
In the foliage accent world, 'All Black' is one of the darkest Phormiums around and very dramatic in a pot with other dark plants.
Marjoram vulgare 'Compactum'
This compact marjoram has a perfect touch of burgundy in its flowers and is great as a foreground plant in an ornamental flower bed.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard has slick, shiny foliage and tolerates very cool temperatures, making it one of the most colorful edibles in the vegetable, flower or container garden.
Burgundy Mustard 'Red Giant'
This excellent cool-season edible has eye-popping burgundy foliage and a hot, zesty flavor. It can survive temperatures down into the teens, and flowers with tall spires of yellow flowers in the spring.
'Blackie' Sweet Potato
The ornamental sweet potato named 'Blackie' is an almost-rampant summer groundcover or cascading container plant with deep burgundy leaves and attractive late summer flowers—plus an edible tuber in the fall!
Burgundy plantain (Plantago major 'Rubrifolia')
Plantain, usually considered a weed, would be a surprising addition to any garden, and is seen here in the foreground of this botanic garden flower border. Plantain is also very drought-tolerant.
Trendy Dark Garden
An entire garden can be done up in black, burgundy, or complementary colors, including a touch of garden art, without coming across as too gothic, as seen in this 2014 Chelsea Flower Show garden in London, England.
Burgundy Flowers
There are dozens of other burgundy, maroon, or near-black flower and foliage plants, including daylilies,iris, oxalis and grasses. Too many to fit into one gallery.
Burgundy accessories
Emphasize burgundy plants with whimsical garden art or accessories for a year-round accent.
