Discover 10 Beautiful Black and White Flowers

Written by Hannah Ward
Updated: July 18, 2023
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10 Beautiful Black and White Flowers
These stunning black and white flowers add a wow factor to any garden.

Flowers are all around us. There are the first blooms of brave new flowers that are often the first signs of the approaching spring, and there’s the riot of color that we typically see during the summer. In fact, flowers can be virtually any color and many have striking patterns on them. But what about black and white flowers? Which plants bloom with these colors? Let’s find out!

1. Nemophila menziesii ‘Penny Black’

Nemophila Menziesii Penny Black
Nemophila menziesii

‘Penny Black’ has stunning black petals with white edges.

©k–k/Shutterstock.com

The first flower on our list actually includes two varieties of the same plant. These are the ‘Snowstorm’ and the ‘Penny Black’ varieties of Nemophila menziesii (which is also known as baby blue eyes). These flowers feature five broad-shaped petals. The ‘Snowstorm’ consists of white petals with fine black speckles, while the ‘Penny Black’ features black petals which are edged with white. They flower during the spring and summer and do equally well in full sun and partial shade. They typically reach no more than six inches high and are ideal for flower beds, borders, and patios.

2. ‘Carmel White’ Garden Anemone

Close view of single white anemone coronaria flower in field. Also known as spanish marigold.

The ‘Carmel White’ garden anemone flowers in spring and thrives in full sunlight.

©yurumesafesi/Shutterstock.com

Garden anemones reach around 18 inches high and bloom with solitary flowers that are approximately three inches wide. The ‘Carmel White’ variety features white petals with black centers on stiff stems. These charming flowers are perennials and grow in clumps. They flower in the spring and thrive in full sunlight, but they also require protection from the cold during the winter.

3. False Shamrock

Purple leaves of false shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)

False shamrock has dark purple to black leaves with delicate white flowers.

©Edita Medeina/Shutterstock.com

Another stunning black and white flower is the false shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) which is a perennial plant that is native to the southern region of South America. False shamrock is typically 20 inches tall and has dark purple to black trifoliate leaves. These are similar in appearance to the true shamrock, hence the name “false shamrock”. False shamrock also has delicate white flowers which have five petals of around two inches long. Both the petals and the leaves close up at night and then open back up during the daytime in response to the increased light. False shamrock is an ideal plant for borders but alternatively does well as a houseplant.

4. Flower-of-an-Hour

Flower-of-an-hour (Hibiscus trionum). Called Bladder hibiscus, Bladder ketmia, Bladder weed, Modesty, Puarangi, Shoogly and Venice mallow also

Flower-of-an-hour only blooms for a day before it dies off.

©Nikolay Kurzenko/Shutterstock.com

Commonly known as flower-of-an-hour (Hibiscus trionum), this pretty plant is an annual which is widely cultivated as a garden plant but can also be classed as a weed, depending on its location. Flower-of-an-hour grows to between eight and 20 inches high and has white petals with a dark purplish-black center. However, the most fascinating thing about this flower is that it only blooms for a day before it dies off. Not only that, but it doesn’t even bloom at all on cloudy days.

5. ‘Onyx Odyssey’ Hellebores

Helleborus hybridus flower

‘Onyx Odyssey’ has a striking appearance with dark petals and a light-colored center.

©Danny Iacob/Shutterstock.com

Easily one of the darkest flowers on the list is the ‘Onyx Odyssey’ which has dark purplish-black cup-shaped blooms with a white to yellow center. Each bloom is around three inches wide and is formed by up to 20 petals. ‘Onyx Odyssey’ grows in a clump that is 12 to 15 inches high and has leathery, evergreen foliage. It blooms between late winter and early spring and does well in partial shade. However, care should be taken when handling the plant as it is harmful to both humans and pets. It is toxic if ingested but can also irritate the skin when touched.

6. Pansy Giant White Black Face

White pansy flowers in a flower bed on a sunny day. Robust and blooming. Garden pansy with white petals. Hybrid pansy.

Giant white black face pansies are ideal for borders.

©Brita Seifert/Shutterstock.com

There are few black and white flowers more stunning than the giant white black face variety of the garden pansy. Pansies themselves are a hybrid and this beautiful variant has oval-shaped white petals with a large black inner face. Pansies typically grow to no more than nine inches high and do well in full sun. They are a timeless plant that has been adding color to gardens for centuries. They are ideal for borders and can bloom all year, depending on your location and climate.

7. ‘Royal Wedding’ Oriental Poppy

White flowers of Oriental Poppy 'Royal Wedding' or 'Checkers' with black-purple center (Papaver orientale)

The ‘Royal Wedding’ oriental poppy only blooms in the spring and early summer before it dies off.

©Ole Schoener/Shutterstock.com

Another flower that is sure to grab your attention is the oriental poppy ‘Royal Wedding’ variety. Oriental poppies reach two to three feet tall and this variety features a large cup-shaped flower with white petals around a purple to black center. There are also black splotches at the base of the inner petals. However, they only bloom in the late spring and early summer, after which it dies away.

8. ‘Silver Laced’ Primrose

silver laced primrose

The ‘Silver Laced’ primrose is black with white edges and a yellow center.

©Alex Manders/Shutterstock.com

Primroses are some of the most popular flowers around due to their colorful appearance. However, the ‘Silver Laced’ variety is easily one of the most striking primroses that you will see with its bright yellow center and dark petals which are bordered with white. They are hardy plants that are easy to care for and do well in both pots and borders. They flower in the spring, typically between April and May, and reach no more than eight inches high.

9. White Batflower

White Bat Flower (Tacca integrifolia) Dioscoreaceae family.

The white batflower has an unusual appearance with its long, flowing branches.

©guentermanaus/Shutterstock.com

Also known as the black lily, the white batflower (Tacca integrifolia) is a charming perennial which reaches two to four feet tall. When it blooms it produces some of the strangest, yet most amazing flowers. They consist of dark, purplish-black centers with a couple of large white petals growing from them. However, they also have long, thin branches which hang down from them by as much as one foot. White batflowers are native to Asia but have increased in popularity across the world due to their unusual appearance. They typically grow in rainforests so do well in warm, moist conditions.

10. White Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan vine - Latin name - Thunbergia alata

White black-eyed Susans have white petals with black centers and flowers between June and September.

©Nahhana/Shutterstock.com

The final plant on our list is the white variety of the black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata). White black-eyed Susans are fast-growing perennials that reach two to three feet high. They have white petals with black centers which make them a stunning addition to any garden. White black-eyed Susans typically flower between June and September and do well in full sun. However, they are not hardy plants and will require protection from the cold during the winter months.

Summary of 10 Beautiful Black and White Flowers

RankBlack and White Flower
1Nemophila menziesii ‘Penny Black’
2‘Carmel White’ Garden Anemone
3False Shamrock
4Flower-of-an-Hour
5‘Onyx Odyssey’ Hellebores
6Pansy Giant White Black Face
7‘Royal Wedding’ Oriental Poppy
8‘Silver Laced’ Primrose
9White Batflower
10White Black-Eyed Susan
Summary Table of 10 Beautiful Black and White Flowers

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Flower_Garden/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Hannah is a writer at A-Z animals where her primary focus is on reptiles, marine life, mammals, and geography. Hannah has been writing and researching animals for four years alongside running her family farm. A resident of the UK, Hannah loves riding horses and creating short stories.

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