Collection: Gothic Garden Plants

A gothic garden is mostly a study in contrast. Plants in this collection skew toward the deep end of the foliage spectrum: black-purple smokebush, the silky near-black blades of Black Mondo grass, the cut-leaf Black Lace elder, dark heucheras and hellebores, smoky burgundy coral bells, and the occasional flower in something close to true black.

The trick to designing with them is restraint. A handful of dark accents anchor a moody planting; a whole bed of them disappears into a hole. Pair them with silver foliage to make the black read, or with chartreuse and acid green to make the dark plants pop, or with pale grasses and ghostly white blooms for a moonlit feel.

Most of these plants want at least part sun to hold their color. Sites with dappled afternoon light let the deep tones glow without burning. We can talk you through specific pairings during a consultation or by email.