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Black peonies are a conditional group of varieties with flowers of dark shades. This includes herbaceous, tree-like varieties - varieties and hybrids that produce buds with petals of rich dark red, burgundy, and cherry color. The most beautiful representatives that can be grown in Russia are discussed in this article.
Features of black peonies
There are no black peonies as such. In fact, when they talk about shrubs with dark inflorescences, they mean petals of these shades:
- cherry;
- Dark red;
- burgundy;
- purple;
- red-brownish.
Peony flowers of these varieties really appear dark from afar. To enhance this effect, it is recommended to combine them with colors of yellow, white and other light shades.
The best varieties of peonies in dark and black colors
As you know, most peonies produce flowers of red and pink colors, while there is a fairly large group of varieties that can conventionally be considered black or dark. The best representatives with photos are described below.
Black Panther
Black Panther is one of the most beautiful varieties of dark peonies.It is interesting not only for its dark burgundy flowers, but also for the height of the peduncles, which can reach up to 1.5 m. The flowers are semi-double, they are not very lush, but they consist of large petals of a dark red, beetroot color. In the center are yellow stamens that look beautiful against a dark background.
The flowers of this black peony reach 15-18 cm in diameter. They appear en masse in June. The shrub belongs to the group of tree varieties, is resistant to many diseases and drought, and does not require care. Looks beautiful when planted in prominent, central places.
The flower consists of graceful burgundy petals
Black boy
Another dark tree peony is Black Boy (Hei Hai Feng Yun). Features semi-double flowers. They consist of large petals of a rich red-ruby hue. The surface is slightly glossy and sparkles in the sun. The core contains yellow stamens.
The outer petals are larger, the inner petals are small, and they curl in one direction. The leaves are lush, with lacy edges, remain green until October, then turn purple. Thanks to this, the Black Boy variety remains decorative throughout the season. The shrub is undemanding to care and is characterized by high winter hardiness.
Rich black color harmonizes with the light green background
Chocolate Soldier
The variety of black peonies Chocolate Soldier is represented by low bushes that take up minimal space. Produces flowers with very large petals of a dark red hue. They appear already in May - the flowering period is early.The buds are double and semi-double.
The variety got its name due to its dark cherry and chocolate shades, sometimes turning into black. They reach 16 cm in diameter and look beautiful in a flowerbed, as well as cut.
Black peony Chocolate Soldier has an unusual color and shape
Early Black
The Early Black variety is a classic dark red peony with semi-double flowers. They have shades of burgundy, wine red, often with an attractive gloss. The bushes are powerful, stocky, reaching a height of 1.5 m. They grow well on fertile and loose soil, and the place should be well lit.
It is important to understand that the winter hardiness of this black peony is not very high, so shelter for the winter is required (agrofibre, burlap). Otherwise, the rules of care are standard - increased watering and regular fertilizing during flowering, removal of wilted buds.
Earlie Black flowers are very large, reaching 25 cm in diameter.
Red Charm
Peony Red Charm can be classified, rather, not as a black variety, but as a variety with flowers of a rich red hue. The color is stable and does not fade even under prolonged exposure to sunlight. The stems are strong, the foliage is dissected.
The flowers are very large, reaching 25 cm in diameter. At the same time, the bush itself is not tall - only 80 cm. Flowering begins from the end of May and continues until the last days of June. The inflorescences are spherical, double, and also pink.
The Red Charm variety is characterized by high winter hardiness - it can withstand up to -40 degrees
Black Crown
The Black Crown variety (Guan Shi Mo Yu) produces red-purple, crown-shaped flowers. Terry type - consist of small petals, which are arranged in several rows and add volume.The bushes are compact, flower stalks grow up to 120 cm, are quite strong and do not spread out.
Flowering is very abundant, the main wave occurs in June and partly in early July. The buds are quite large, reaching a diameter of 17 cm after full opening. The color is closer to burgundy, but from a distance it looks black.
Black Crown is one of the darkest varieties of dark peonies.
Dark Black Purple
The tree-like variety Dark Black Purple is a tall shrub (up to 2 m) with very strong peduncles. It takes up quite a lot of space, but it looks impressive in open areas, for example, on lawns, near the entrance to the house, along the banks of a country pond and others.
The foliage is bright green and quite large. Flowers are double type, crown-shaped. Their size is average - they reach only 14 cm in diameter. But they appear in large quantities - 40-50 pieces on one bush. The petals are wavy, making the buds look very elegant. They can be used both to decorate flower beds and to make bouquets.
The color of the petals is closer to purple
Black hydrangea
Peonies usually produce double, spherical flowers, often resembling a rose. But there is an unusual variety that looks more like hydrangea. It produces flowers of medium size, up to 15 cm in diameter. The color is rich, dark burgundy, so from a distance the opened buds look almost black.
Flowering times are average, with the main wave occurring in June. The shrubs are low - flower stalks grow up to 80 cm. They do not spread out, so dense planting is allowed. It is advisable to lay out the flowerbed in a sunny area, on a small hill, protected from the accumulation of water.
The shape of the buds resembles hydrangea
Black dragon
The Black Dragon variety (Wu Long Peng Sheng) produces double, crown-shaped inflorescences, reaching 16 cm in diameter and 6 cm in height. The color is red, purple, with a noticeable cream tint closer to the tips of the petals. This flower does not look black, but it decorates the garden well thanks to its original shape and color scheme.
The shrub is powerful, reaching a height of 2 m. A characteristic feature is that the crop grows well on alkaline, highly saline soils. Therefore, it can be planted even on infertile soil. Flowering is abundant, occurring mainly in June, but begins at the end of May.
The shrub is powerful and produces a lot of flowers.
Highlight
The Highlight variety produces double, spherical inflorescences of quite large sizes - up to 20 cm in diameter. The height of the bush is small, only 75-100 cm. It grows well only in sunny areas. Sufficiently resistant to winter frosts, does not require maintenance.
The petals are large, dark red in color with a hint of brown, sometimes chocolate. The structure is dense, the inner petals bend towards the core, and often have a gloss. The yellow stamens are barely noticeable, but after full opening they can be seen.
Black peonies in landscape design
Dark flowers look beautiful on their own, so they are often used in single plantings. They also look good in combination with flowers of light shades. Several options for using such crops in garden design are shown below:
- Seating around a bench.
- Flower alley along the road.
- Single landing option.
- Next to the fence.
- Composition with other ornamental plants.
Conclusion
Black peonies are original flowers of different shapes and sizes. The buds are crowned, double, spherical, semi-double.They are beautiful both in a flowerbed and in a bouquet. Most varieties are undemanding to care, so even novice gardeners can cope with cultivation.
