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35 Hauntingly Beautiful Ideas for Your Gothic Garden

Sumptuous black flowers, awe-inspiring stone arches, elaborate wrought-iron gates: all things you’ll find in a goth-inspired garden. Read on for loads of ideas to help you create your own strange and beautiful hideaway.

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Photo: Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Goth Gardens Are Trending

Goth gardens are in, according to the most recent Garden Trends Report from Garden Media Group. The obsession with "darkness," as GMG explains, extends to an increased interest in historic graveyards such as Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery, calling them "hip hangouts" and even "third places" to gather socially.

"Goth culture lives strong year-round, embracing themes of the macabre, mystical and romantic," says GMG president Katie Dubow. Dark flowers and plants can add a Gothic touch to a home garden, as can ornate wrought-iron structures, weathered stone and stained glass, while pathways through lush growth can be used to add a bit of mystery.

Built in 1936, this one-of-a-kind spider-web gate found at Hoveton Hall in Norfolk, Great Britain, gives us all The Addams Family vibes. Get inspired by this web-like gate and add other goth garden touches to your space with the following ideas.

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Black Blooms

Gothic gardens look best when they’re simply bursting with purple, black and burgundy-hued plants. 'Queen of the Night' tulips are a high-drama option for bringing your vision of a dark, beautiful garden to life.

"Gardening with plants with dark foliage, flowers or an overall eerie appearance, fits into this theme (Gothic gardening) and provide a visually striking contrast to the bright colors found in gardens," says Dubow.

more black flowers and plants

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Photo: Mark Bolton Photography for GardenArtisans.com

Soaring Structures

You can’t help but gaze upward at the sinuous, soaring lines of this Gothic-inspired garden folly. Use a gazebo such as this one as a setting for garden furniture, the junction for multiple garden paths or the vehicle for vines to flourish, creating a shady spot.

"Creating moody spaces can involve using light and vintage pieces. Think wrought-iron gates, arched trellises and more to create secret rooms," says Dubow.

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Photo: George Dzahristos. From: AguaFina Gardens International.

Spooky Steps

A heavy wooden gate opens up to natural stone steps in this garden that features elements of rustic Asian and Gothic design. The thick doors and lush plantings also cast shade, lowering the temperature as you step into the garden and maybe even causing a shiver — perfect for a Gothic garden.

"Black gravel, slate or dark paving stones can add a mysterious or somber tone to the garden, complementing the dark foliage and flowers," says Dubow.

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