Cover image: 'Boom Chocolatta' Geranium pratense. Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.

Discover the Allure of Dark Foliage Plants

Add a touch of drama to your garden with these stunning plants that boast rich, dark leaves in shades of burgundy red, deep purple, chocolate, and black.

Looking to add some bold, dramatic flair to your garden? You’re in the right place! Here’s a stunning list—complete with photos—of 10 plants with dark leaves that will bring mystery and elegance to your outdoor space.

These dark foliage plants are the perfect garden idea for creating unique, eye-catching landscape designs and striking landscaping plant combinations. Let’s dive right in and explore these beauties!

And don’t miss the end of the article for expert tips on buying, growing, and designing with plants with dark leaves in your outdoor landscape.

Miner’s Merlot Wood Spurge

Botanical name: Euphorbia x 'KM-MM024'

Type: Perennial

Zones: 6 - 9

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 2 feet high and wide

Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Attributes: Dark wine red to olive green leaves, heat and drought tolerant, deer resistant

a garden plant with deep red to dark green leaves and small yellow flowers growing in front of ivy — **Miner’s Merlot Wood Spurge.** Image courtesy of American Meadows Inc. via National Garden Bureau.

2. Midnight Express® Redbud

Botanical name: Cercis canadensis 'RNI-RCC3'

Type: Tree

Zones: 5 - 8

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 20-30 feet high and 10-20 feet wide

Bloom time: Spring

Attributes: Dark burgundy foliage with green undertones, dramatic butterscotch yellow and red fall leaf color

dark red foliage of a redbud tree — **Midnight Express® Redbud.** Image courtesy of Spring Meadow Nursery - Proven Winner Color Choice via National Garden Bureau.

3. Boom Chocolatta Cranesbill

Botanical name: Geranium pratense 'Boom Chocolatta'

Type: Perennial

Zones: 4 - 8

Light requirements: Full sun - part shade

Size: 24-26 inches high and 28-30 inches wide

Bloom time: Summer

Attributes: Dark bronze to chocolate brown foliage, deer resistant, very easy to grow, tolerates shade

dark foliage and blue flowers of boom chocolatta cranesbill growing in a garden near grass — **Boom Chocolatta Cranesbill.** Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.

4. Summerific® Perfect Storm Rose Mallow

Botanical name: Hibiscus ‘Perfect Storm’

Type: Perennial

Zones: 4 - 9

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 3 feet high and 4-5 feet wide

Bloom time: Midsummer - early fall

Attributes: Dark purple to black foliage, smaller and more compact size than other hibiscus varieties

a hibiscus plant with dark foliage and pink flowers with dark red centers growing in a mulched garden bed next to a hibiscus with red flowers and a butterfly bush with buildings in background and grass in foreground — **Summerific® Perfect Storm Rose Mallow.** Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.

5. Dark Roast Barista® Crapemyrtle

Botanical name: Lagerstroemia 'Dark Roast'

Type: Shrub

Zones: 6 - 9

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 18-24 inches tall and wide

Bloom time: Late summer to early fall

Attributes: Dark green foliage with deep red undertones, short and compact size, abundant flowers

a dark leaves crepe myrtle with bright pink flowers growing in a garden bed near iris — **Dark Roast Barista® Crapemyrtle.** Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

6. Black Negligee Snakeroot

Botanical name: Actaea simplex 'Black Negligee' (formerly known as Cimicifuga)

Type: Perennial

Zones: 3 - 9

Light requirements: Partial to full shade

Size: Foliage is 2 feet tall and wide, flower spikes up to 6 feet tall

Bloom time: Fall

Attributes: Dramatic foliage emerges dark green and matures to deep purple, fragrant flowers, deer resistant.

a bugbane plant with dark foliage and dark leaves and white flowers in front of green trees — **Black Negligee Snakeroot.** Image courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company

7. Dahlia MYSTIC DAHLIAS™ Mystic Wizard

Botanical name: Dahlia variabilis ‘Mystic Wizard’

Type: Tender perennial

Zones: 9 - 11

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 3 feet high and 2 feet wide

Bloom time: Early summer to frost

Attributes: Dark mahogany black foliage, attracts pollinators, compact habit does not require staking

a dark leave dahlia with pink flowers in a blue pot with other plants with lime colored leaves in blue pots, sitting on grey wood deck steps and pea gravel walkway — **Dahlia MYSTIC DAHLIAS™ Mystic Wizard.** Image courtesy of PlantHaven International Inc. via National Garden Bureau.

8. Blackhawks Big Bluestem Ornamental Grass

Botanical name: Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks'

Type: Grass

Zones: 3 - 9

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 4-5 feet high and 1-2 feet wide

Bloom time: Late summer

Special attributes: Foliage emerges dark purple to green and changes to black by autumn, purple blooms with tiny white seeds, winter interest

dark black blades of an ornamental grass plant — **Blackhawks Big Bluestem Ornamental Grass.** Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

9. Diabolo® Ninebark

Botanical name: Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo'

Type: Shrub

Zones: 3 - 7

Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade

Size: 8-10 feet high and wide

Bloom time: Summer

Attributes: Dark purple foliage with green undertones, showy pinkish-white flower clusters, peeling cinnamon-colored bark provides winter interest

diabolo nine bark dark leaves and pink flowers — **Diabolo® Ninebark.**

10. STARSHIP™ Scarlet Bronze Leaf Cardinal Flower

Botanical name: Lobelia speciosa STARSHIP™ ‘Scarlet Bronze Leaf’

Type: Perennial

Zones: 6 - 10

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 22-28 inches high and 16-22 inches wide

Bloom time: Midsummer to early fall

Attributes: Dark bronze foliage, attracts hummingbirds, great for wet soils and boggy areas

a cardinal flower variety with dark bronze leaves and red flower spikes growing in a garden bed surrounded by mulch and grass — **STARSHIP™ Scarlet Bronze Leaf Cardinal Flower.** Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Tips for Buying Plants with Dark Leaves

Choosing the right plants with dark leaves for your garden starts with smart shopping! Here’s how to make sure you get exactly what you need:

Always purchase using the botanical name – Common names can be confusing and vary based on where you live. The botanical name ensures you’re getting the exact plant you want.
Ask for help if needed – A garden center overflowing with plants can feel overwhelming! Staff members can guide you to the right dark foliage plants and answer any questions about your space and growing conditions.
If you're new to gardening – Not sure if your space is right for a plant? Bring photos of your yard to the garden center, and the staff can help you determine if these dark-leaved plants will thrive.
Shop in early to mid- spring for the best selection – Many dark-leaved varieties are popular and tend to sell out quickly. Because plant supply can be unpredictable, once they’re gone, garden centers may not restock these varieties until the following year.

By following these tips, you’ll have a better chance of snagging the perfect plants with dark leaves before they disappear from the shelves!

Tips for Growing Dark Foliage Plants

Set your dark foliage plants up for success with these essential growing tips:

Select the right zone. Make sure plants are suitable for your USDA hardiness zone.
Match the plant to your garden’s light conditions. Ensure that your plants thrive by choosing a spot with the correct amount of sunlight or shade.
- Full sun plants thrive in 6+ hours of direct sunlight.
- Part shade plants need 3–6 hours of sunlight or filtered light.
- Full shade plants prefer less than 3 hours of direct sun.
Water newly planted garden plants properly. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to help plants establish a strong root system. Read “How to Water Your Plants” for help with determining your watering strategy.
Monitor drought conditions. Some plants with dark leaves can handle dry spells, while others need extra attention during hot weather. Visit the US Drought Monitor map to see if your area is currently experiencing a drought.

By following these tips, you’ll help your plants with dark leaves thrive and keep their bold color all season long!

Design Strategies for Plants with Dark Leaves

Incorporating plants with dark leaves into your landscape design creates depth, contrast, and drama. Here are some creative ways to use them effectively:

Use strategically: Too many dark leaves can make a space feel heavy, but when placed thoughtfully, they add drama and sophistication
Create contrast: Pair dark foliage with bright greens, silvers, or vibrant flowers to make both colors stand out.
Create rhythm: Decisively placing dark-leaved plants throughout your yard creates a visual rhythm that guides the eye around the landscape and along garden beds and pathways.
Add depth: Layer dark foliage plants in front of or behind plants with different leaf textures and colors to create a rich, dynamic look and bring movement to your landscape.
Get gothic: Design a stunning goth garden by pairing dark foliage plants with deep-hued flowers and incorporating a few goth garden decor elements for a moody vibe.
Use in containers: Dark-leaved plants in sleek pots create a high-impact, modern vibe.