Are you tired of the summer’s vibrant hues? It’s time to embrace the darkness and drama of gothic plants this fall.
As the summer sun begins its descent, it’s time to embrace the darker side of gardening. Gothic plants, with their eerie beauty and dramatic flair, offer the perfect way to transform your garden into a hauntingly elegant space.
Add some of these perfect dark-colored plants to transform your outdoor space into a haunting yet elegant retreat…
Shrubs to add permanence to your Gothic look
Weigela PRISM™ Arabian Nights
A dwarf selection that is Zone 6 hardy brings compact intensity to your goth garden. Arabian Nights is a mature size of 20-24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, perfect as a landscape specimen, in mass plantings, or containers. Hardy to zone 6.
Hydrangea First Editions Eclipse®
This dark-leaf mophead hydrangea offers season-long beauty with intense, dark purple leaves that hold their color, even in sunny warm climates. The striking foliage, paired with gorgeous dark purple or cranberry-colored blooms will make a dramatic impact. Hardy Zones 5-9
Lorapetalum Purple Daydream®
Naturally compact, Purple Daydream® is a no-maintenance solution for smaller spaces. Year-round maroon foliage is accented with dark pink flowers each spring and fall. Hardy in zones 7-10 or can be used as an annual accent in colder climates.
Perennials are ideal as Gothic Plants and…Fall is for Planting
Sirens’ Song™ Dark Night Heuchera
A mesmerizing coral bells with deep purple-red, sun tolerant foliage. Magnificent sprays of reddish pink blooms will lure hummingbirds to the garden in late spring. The ruffled purple-red leaves add stunning depth to gardens and mixed containers. Evergreen in mild winter areas; an herbaceous perennial in colder regions.
Lysimachia alfredii Night Light
This flowering groundcover provides a colorful mound of attractive dark and light foliage and bright yellow flowers. Night Light brightens up shade gardens and offers continuous flowering from Spring until hard frost in Fall. Hardy in zones 5a-9a.
Andropogon gerardii Blackhawks
Big Bluestem are perfect for providing height and color to the garden, coming into prime a little earlier than other ornamental grasses. The foliage of ‘Blackhawks’ emerges deep green to dark purple in spring and deepens to near black by fall. Matures at 5′ tall and is hardy in zones 3-9.
Annuals provide a quick Goth refresh
Ornamental Pepper Onyx Orange
Onyx Orange’s striking dark purple foliage produces round fruit that transitions from purple/black to vibrant orange. Onyx boasts extreme heat tolerance and a long garden life, making it a reliable choice for compact yet bold dark foliage and shiny fruits.
Petunia Sweetunia Black Satin
Get creative with your containers and pop in some dark-hued annuals for an instant refresh for a tired garden. Sweetunia petunias are semi-upright in habit and will quickly fill in a container for end-of summer/early fall enchanting color.
Pansy Atlas Black
Pansy Black Atlas is the perfect flower for your fall decorating. Dark purple blooms with a light orange center pair nicely for Halloween and beyond. In the spring they can be added for more depth in the spring garden.
Bring Gothic Plants Indoors
Begonia Ninetta
This unique, modern Begonia is a fun addition to the garden in warmer zones or inside as a houseplant. Pretty, spotted leaves feature crinkled edges that serve as a backdrop for light-pink and white blooms. 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Partial to full shade.
Geogenanthus ciliatus
Botanically known as Geogenanthus ciliatus, this unique tropical plant features big, purple-black leaves for an out-of-this-world look. Thick, waxy leaves stand out from all other houseplants. This dark beauty can spread more than 24 inches wide.
Oxblood Ginger Two Toner
Fabulous and trendy, this new houseplant shows off thick leaves that are dark green on top and rich ruby red on the undersides. It’s a slow-growing tabletop indoor plant that’s sure to add years of enjoyment to any well-lit indoor space.
As the leaves begin to change and the nights grow longer, let your garden reflect the haunting beauty of the season.
With the right Gothic plants, you can create a space that is both mysterious and inviting. So, embrace the darkness and let your garden bloom with eerie elegance.
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Founded more than 100 years ago, the National Garden Bureau educates, inspires, and motivates people to grow home gardens. National Garden Bureau members are horticultural experts, and the information shared with you comes directly from these experts to ensure your gardening success.
“This Gothic Plants for a Fall Garden Refresh post is provided as an educational/inspirational service of the National Garden Bureau and our members. Please credit and link to National Garden Bureau and author member when using all or parts of this article.”
