Are you interested in plants with dark flowers and dark foliage? For many, these so-called "black plants" are very appealing. Why? There are numerous reasons why black plants are highly sought after. For some, it's the desire to send "black" roses to a foe as a symbol of vengeance (my picture gallery contains a picture of a "black" rose). For others, it may be a matter of Gothic tendencies, while for still others, it's a quest for the ultimate in landscaping elegance.
In the 3rd edition of Karen Platt's book, "Black Magic and Purple Passion," information has been assembled on 2750 black plants, supplemented by 425 color pictures, including pictures of "black" roses. Platt is recognized as the world's leading expert on black plants. The do-it-yourself landscaper interested in black plants will find much that is useful in Platt's book.
The heart of "Black Magic and Purple Passion" is a catalog of black plants. The catalog is organized alphabetically, according to scientific plant name. Each entry in this extensive catalog is composed of an introduction to the specimen, advice on how to grow it, a list of its cultivars, suggested companions, and pictures.
The catalog is prefaced by five chapters introducing the subject of black plants and their use in landscape design. Most readers will find themselves flipping ahead to consult the catalog even while reading these opening chapters, in order to understand the nature of the plants being discussed. However, I would urge readers to resist the temptation to lose themselves in the catalog and neglect to return to finish the opening chapters, which provide helpful information about the use of black plants in landscape design.
For starters, Platt clears up the confusion about what is entailed by the phraseology, "black plants," which Platt argues is an "umbrella term for the darkest plants in horticulture." Black plants "are called black for the sake of simplicity." Thus the second half of the title, "Purple Passion": black plants and purple plants are considered together, as denizens of the world of dark specimens.
Since few plants are "jet black," Platt offers tips on how to help black plants appear as dark as possible. For instance, juxtaposition can certainly aid your viewing pleasure, as when bright-colored specimens are planted among your black plants. The contrast with the former will make your black plants appear darker than they would otherwise.
Like a good photographer, a landscaper working with black plants will also want to pay strict attention to lighting. "Tones change in relation to sunlight," writes Platt. "It is not improbable for different tones to appear dominant at different times of the day and from different angles and positions." Moreover, some plants "change colour in shade, others in sun. Generally speaking, for best colour, place with the sun behind...."
Of the opening chapters, I was especially pleased with "Designs on Black," which is organized according to theme. Here readers will learn about using black plants for a tropical look and for a Gothic look, in xeriscape landscaping and in cottage gardens. Other themes considered are woodland gardens, container gardens, edible black plants and black plants for landscaping around swimming pools.
"Designs on Black" begins with some initial considerations of how black plants can work alone or with other colors in your landscape design, and some sound designing advice. "The ultimate key to the success of a dark garden," writes Platt, "is the selection of plants with regard to tone, foliage, texture and form. Black plants can effectively be used together if they are not too similar." Platt offers some tantalizing examples of plantings of black and silver, black and gold and, of course, black and white. Information is also provided about dark ornamental grasses and "black" roses.
For information on purchasing "Black Magic and Purple Passion," please see Karen Platt's Web site.
