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NCG 756
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Actaea simplex 'Black Negligee' | |
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Baneberry, Bugbane
Formerly known as Cimicifuga racemosa, this tall, dynamic plant produces bold cut foliage of a deep burgundy colour - almost black. Racemes of tiny, white or pinkish flowers appear on tall, arching stems in summer. Highly recommended. |
NCG 499
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Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' | |
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Tree aeonium, Tree houseleek, Irish rose
Description coming soon. |
NCG 302
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Alcea rosea Ex. 'Jet Black'
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Hollyhock, Ex. 'Jet Black'
Deepest, deepest red-purple - as close to black as you can get! Although strictly speaking a perennial, this very popular cottage garden plant is best treated as a biennial, particularly since it can be susceptible to rust. These are very tall plants and some support is recommended. NOTE: Since… |
NCG 278
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Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing'
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Black-leaved Cow Parsley
The finely divided, ferny, deep-purple, almost black leaves of this unusual plant make a lovely contrast with other plants, particularly those that have predominantly light-green foliage. The flat heads of tiny flowers are white with small pink bracts. Please note that not all plants produced from the seeds offered will… |
NCG 570
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Aquilegia vulgaris Ex. 'William Guiness'
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Aquilegia 'Magpie', Columbine, Granny's Bonnet
Known both as A. 'Magpie' and A. 'William Guinness', this striking variety has deep red-purple (almost black) sepals and spurs and white-edged 'blades' - the modified petals at the centre of the flower. |
NCG 297
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Dahlia Ex. 'Bishop of Auckland'
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Dahlia Ex. 'Bishop of Auckland'
The seeds or plants on offer are either from 'Bishop of Llandaff' or 'Bishop of Auckland'. Although they are not expected to breed true, all my own sowings have resulted in plants with black foliage and flowers that strongly resembe the parents. Although generally considered tender, dahlias will very often… |
NCG 432
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Dianthus barbatus Ex. nigrescens 'Sooty' | |
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Sweet William, black
These seeds were collected exclusively from this variety but it cannot be guaranteed that all will breed true, though they should produce a high proportion of dark-red to almost black blooms. Although strictly speaking a short-lived perennial, usually treated as a biennial. |
NCG 407
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Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' | |
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Winter creeper 'Emerald 'n' Gold'
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NCG 507
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Geranium phaeum, various
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Dusky cranesbill
Although a British native, Geranium phaeum is perhaps more commonly seen as a cultivated garden plant, particularly in colours singled out as particularly attractive. These appear in Spring and range from deepest-purple to near-white. The lobed or divided foliage varies in colour too, from mid to dark green, often with… |
NCG 273
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Helleborus x hybridus
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Lenten rose
There are many hellebores growing in the garden, in a variety of colours, from dark red (sometimes double) to pink, white and cream, some with intricate specking or streaking. Although seeds listed (when available) are saved and offered separately from different coloured plants, it cannot be guaranteed that they will… |
NCG 054
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Hibiscus trionum
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Flower-of-an-Hour, Venice Mallow, Bladder hibiscus, Bladder ketmia
This delightful plant, which is usually treated as an annual in the UK, produces creamy flowers with dark burgundy centres on stems clothed with dark green, lobed leaves. Each flower only lasts a day but in the right conditions it will bloom profusely, followed by very attractive seed pods, throughout… |
NCG 026
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Hyoscyamus niger
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Black Henbane, Stinking Nightshade
Black henbane produces soft, downy leaves and strange, but beautiful, pale creamy-yellow flowers intricately veined in purple. The seed pods are also rather attractive; they have a little round lid which falls off when the pods are ripe, releasing the seeds. All parts of the plant are toxic. The whole plant… |
NCG 394
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Lysimachia ciliata 'Firecracker'
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Fringed loosestrife 'Firecracker'
The picture does not really do this plant justice. Attractive, deep-purple rosettes of rounded leaves appear in early spring, followed by tall spikes of more pointed leaves which bear small, yellow, star-shaped flowers along their length. Although moist - even wet - soil is recommended, mine grow in a dry,… |
NCG 189
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Nemophila discoides 'Total Eclipse' | |
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Black nemophila
A profusion of blooms no more than an inch across, coloured deep purple - almost black - with white edges. A lovely statement at the front of the border or tumbling from hanging baskets and planters. |
NCG 479
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Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal' (Organic)
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Basil 'Dark Opal'
A dark-purple variety of basil, with smaller, more toothed leaves than the more commonly-grown Sweet Genovese. Great for adding contrasting colour to salads and tomato dishes. For companion planting enthusiasts, basil is said to encourage the growth of tomatoes, peppers and chillies! NOTE: These are externally sourced, organic seeds. |
NCG 253
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Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' Syn. 'Kokuryu' | |
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Lilyturf, Ornamental Black Grass, Black mondo grass
Although, true to its common name, this evergreen plant is both ornamental and black, it is not a grass! It forms clumps of glossy, purple-black leaves (some may occasionally be dark-green), with spikes of pale purplish-pink flowers in autumn, followed by glossy black berries. It grows only about 6 inches… |
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NCG 571
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Papaver orientale 'Checkers' | |
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NCG 262
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Pelargonium sidoides
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Kalwerbossie geranium, Silverleaf geranium
This very dainty species pelargonium/geranium, which originates from Africa, has circular, crinkled, silver-grey-green, aromatic leaves about an inch across and clusters of small, deep magenta - almost black - flowers on fine, long, wiry stems. Like most pelargoniums, it is frost tender, but it will sit happily on a sunny… |
NCG 498
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Persicaria virginiana var. filiformis 'Lance Corporal'
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Virginia knotweed, Jumpseed 'Lance Corporal'
An interesting shrubby perennial with strong, v-shaped markings (looking rather like bats), which are dark brownish-red - sometimes almost black - on a bright green ground. In the autumn delicate spikes of bright-crimson flowers appear on thin, wiry stems. Although it is recommended to grow in part or full shade… |
NCG 201
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Phytolacca acinosa Syn. esculenta
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Indian Pokeweed, Inkberry, Pidgeonberry
Although invariably referred to as American pokeweed (P. decandra Syn. americana), the variety seen in UK gardens is almost certainly Indian pokeweed (P. asinosa Syn. esculenta). Both look very similar, but P. acinosa has vertical, upright inflorescences, whilst P. americana has lax, dangling, flower stems, with single, spherical fruits on… |
NCG 079
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Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
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Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower, Gloriosa Daisy
This perennial Rudbeckia is a trouble-free plant that makes a stunning statement when planted en masse in the hot bed! The deep yellow flowers with black eyes stand on tall, wiry stems and are a very useful cut flower. Prefers full sun but will tolerte part shade. |
NCG 425
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Rudbeckia occidentalis 'Green Wizard' | |
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Cone flower 'Green Wizard'
A wonderful cut flower, fresh or dried, this unusual hardy rudbeckia has its origins in Western USA. From late-spring and well into summer it produces elongated, russet-brown cones above a circle of green bracts on tall, strong stems bearing dark green leaves. Much recommended! |
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NCG 760
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Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' | |
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Anise-scented sage, Hummingbird sage
Salvia guaranitica, the anise-scented sage or hummingbird sage, is a species of Salvia native to a wide area of South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. A tall plant with rich-green, aromatic foliage and spikes cobalt-blue flowers contrasting with near-black sepals in late summer to autumn. It is very… |
NCG 495
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Scirpus atrovirens
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Dark-green bulrush
A popular marginal pond plant, this bulrush has very attractive dark brown (almost black) seed heads in spring, above dark-green, grass-like foliage. The seeds, although extremely small, are popular with garden birds. |
NCG 487
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Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry'
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Tomato 'Black Cherry'
This tomato variety produces masses of small, deep, purplish-red to mahoganiy-brown, sweet and juicy fruits. Perfect for the simplest of tomato salads - just slice or quarter and sprinkle on balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt, plenty of freshly ground pepper and perhaps a little finely sliced red onion scattered… |
NCG 486
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Solanum lycopersicum 'Brandywine Black' (Organic)
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Tomato 'Brandywine Black' (Heirloom)
Like other beefsteak tomatoes, this heirloom variety produces large, frequently irregular-shaped fruits, but is unusual in that it has potato-leaved foliage. The tomatoes can vary somewhat in colour, usually a rosy hue, sometimes green-shouldered, but they are renowned for their exceptional flavour. NOTE: These are externally sourced, organic… |
NCG 062
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Viola 'Blackjack'
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Viola 'Blackjack'
This is probably a cross between Bowles' Black and a standard viola. Still, it is rich in colour and produces masses of small, midnight-blue flowers with yellow eyes. Very useful for front of border or in containers and hanging baskets. Cut back after first flush of flowering to encourage new… |
NCG 516
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Viola 'Bowles Black' | |
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Viola 'Bowles Black'
A very pretty viola that is usually hard to come by, with flowers which are deepest midnight-blue to almost black, with deep yellow eyes. Although strictly speaking a hardy perennial, best treated as a half-hardy annual. The seeds gathered from these plants were fertilised when almost all other violas in… |
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