Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Purple is the New Black
I featured my friend and colleague Michael Kirchman's garden a few posts back, and the lovely photo (I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't take it) included two spectacular purple leafed trees which captured the attention of reader Issa Roseberg. She is now infatuated with the dark side of gardening, and I know where she's coming from. Before I gardened, I took it for granted that plants were green. After, I began noticing the grays, the golds, the variegation - but mostly, it was the deep reds and purples I lusted for. Those of you on the east coast have to take pity on me - I grew up in South Texas and moved to Southern California - neither place really has any colorful season change. I wanted to have that kind of drama in my plantings, so as a baby gardener I decided to create a Gothic garden - my front yard was going to be exclusively somber shades of burgundy, red, and purple leaves. Flowers? Only black flowers would be allowed, maybe an occasional red.
I never really achieved my Gothic garden, because I kept falling in love with so many plants outside my strict parameters. I also realized that the beauty of the dark foliage was in the strong contrast they made with the main color in all gardens - green. So purple couldn't be my new green, but it is always very present in every garden I design. Read on for a list of my favorite plants with red/purple/burgundy leaves.
The Germ!
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood’'- an oldie but goodie. One of the few plants with dark foliage for shadier areas.
Aeonium 'Schwartzkopf' - I love love LOVE this plant. It is the Black Rose succulent, and it gives so much to any garden, border, pot, or windowbox that it graces. Even if it isn't zone-appropriate for you, I challenge you to try it! It is worth digging up for the winter.
Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow'- I wish I could grow this barberry! Will someone in New York please plant one in my honor?
Canna 'Tropicanna'- This is the Gwen Stefani of plants - sexy, showy, great solo or in a group. If you cant put it in the ground, please, grow it in a pot - but grow it!
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' - who can resist deep red, glossy, heart shaped leaves? Not I!
Cotinus coggyria 'Velvet Cloak' or 'Royal Purple' - the purple smoke tree - What a stunner! People are always knocking on my door asking "What is that beautiful purple thing?" I cut mine back in early Feb, so I sacrifice the blooms for bigger, juicier, darker leaves.
Euphorbia cotinifolia - is the shrub in Michael Kirchman's garden - it looks almost exactly like Cotinus 'Royal Purple', but it is more zone appropriate for us in the super -hot parts of the country. I throw caution to the wind and grow both, and they look smashing! The leaves are dark red with a visible blue cast to them, Mmmmm...
Euphorbia dulcis 'Chameleon' - is a beautiful little plant, a bit short lived, but while it lives, it earns its keep. The leaves are olive flushed with burgundy, and it has a beautifully unusual bloom.
Lorapetalum 'Razzleberi' - I had a thing against this plant for a long time - I was shocked by its screaming fuschia fringe-y flowers. Then, suddenly, I loved it. I plant it everywhere. I wish I could wear it as a hat.
Phormium 'Dusky Chief' - a darkly red Phormium; looks beautiful flanked by Iceberg roses with japanese fountain grass planted around their ankles.
Phormium tenax 'Bronze'- okay, not everybody can use phormiums, and even those who can hesitate planting a big monster like this. But wow, if you have the space for it, you will never regret having this in your garden, especially if you put Tagetes lemonii, the Pot Marigold, next to it.
Whew! What a list! Use it, friends ... step over into the dark side.
thank you, germanitrix! i love your purple plants. you have some really nice, inspiring photos on your lovely blog. if possible i would encourage you to include more photos and sources, when available...
Hey Germinatrix,
I dig your blog! I too, am a major fan of black plants. Do you know anything about a black salvia? I've heard rumors of its' existence, but like a white unicorn, I've never actually seen one. Can you help?
The Empress of Black Plants,
Posey Parker
mallowdaisy! I am giddy ... you like my pictures! I'm a fledgling photog, so thanks! And I'll post a list of my favorite mail-order nurseries, and other ways to get the strange plants I love...
poseyparker! Okay, if you are the Empress of Black Plants, then I am the ... The Czarina of Black Plants! The Czarina who once grew the mysterious and elusive black salvia, which I killed. It is a tempermantal native type, but the flowers are a deep, true black. Keep reading and I'll post a picture and a source when I find one, and then you can try and grow it. I hope you have better luck, Your Highness!
I just purchased Salvia discolor and the flower is truly amazing. It is almost black in color. The leaves are gray on top with white underneath and have this great scent.
For those of you don't speak plant-ese, isaroseburg's Salvia discolor is the black salvia poseyparker is looking for. I've got to find a source for it ... any ideas? By the way isaroseburg - I have a sneaking suspicion you have a cool garden.