Northwest Palms

Help! Black tree suggestions

I am looking for some suggestions. I want some trees and shrubs that have black leaves and, or bark, or flowers. I have seen some birch's with almost real black leaves and a Cotinus with black leaves outlined with a pink or red but I don't remember names.

The following thread was started by Jay in Shelton, Wa. on February 19, 2009 at 8:57 am PST

There are a couple of new sambucus on the market with very dark leaves. Black Beauty is a good one as is Black Lace. Great strong colours that hold up in the heat of summer as well. There are some dark leaved Weigela's as well, and lots of perennials with dark leaves. Oh yeah, Corokia Bronze King is nice and dark.

Good luck

The above followup was added by Ben in Langford on February 19, 2009 at 9:25 am PST.

I could always give you my loquat. It should qualify with all the black spots on the leaves! :)

The above followup was added by BryceOlyWa on February 19, 2009 at 9:58 am PST.

Below is a list of few plants that I am familiar with. I have some of them in the garden. But there must be more (check also Rhododendrons and/or Azalias). The only plants with "black" flowers (small) that I have are Pittosporum tenuifolium varieties (P. garnetii even has black bark but I am not sure if it survived the last winter):

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo', Fagus sylvatica purpurea, Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple', Corylus americana Purple Haze, Coprosma 'copper shine' and Weigela, Sambucus and Acer varieties with purple leaves.

Fagus sylvatica purpurea is a truly spectacular tree and I believe you could get a variety that is manageable in a standard garden.

The above followup was added by Vlad POmajzl, Saltspring on February 19, 2009 at 7:20 pm PST.

Add this one to the above list. Has been talked about a lot on this Forum lately and Roger (olympia) actually had some for sale.

The above followup was added by Vlad Pomajzl, Saltspring on February 19, 2009 at 7:36 pm PST.

for the input.
I googled most of what was suggested but I suppose I am being a bit picky. There are few truely black plants out there. I use things like Black Mondo's true black as an example of what I am looking for. As you can imagine I am not having much success. I have planted about 84 black mondo and 5 Arisaema's with true black color in the flowers and or leaves and the supposed timber form of Phyllostachys nigra but still looking for more.

The above followup was added by Jay in Shelton, Wa. on February 19, 2009 at 9:21 pm PST.

Any pictures of the changes you've been working on?

The above followup was added by BryceOlyWa on February 19, 2009 at 9:48 pm PST.

I can't think of any trees, but this phormium is dark brown/black.

The above followup was added by Linda Denman Island, BC 8b on February 20, 2009 at 7:42 am PST.

.... but it's not at all hardy. You could use it for a container tree. Agonis flexuosa 'Jervis Bay Afterdark' or sometimes just ('After Dark'). Dead below 28F.

The above followup was added by Ian on February 20, 2009 at 10:01 am PST.

"Black magic & Purple Passion", it's dedicated to dark and black plants of all types, including quite a few photos. She has one page discussing dark trees.

The above followup was added by Peggy in Seattle on February 20, 2009 at 3:42 pm PST.

Pittosporum tenuifolium? Has purplish/black flower/seed pods and darker stems.

The above followup was added by Brian, Maple Valley, WA on February 20, 2009 at 8:48 pm PST.

That is a great one. Just wish I could find one outside California.

The above followup was added by Jay in Shelton, Wa. on February 20, 2009 at 10:59 pm PST.

carry Monterey Bay Nursery's plants, which include Agonis After Dark. They are: Wells Medina Nursery in Medina and Dig Floral and Garden in Vashon.

Another black shrub from MBN is Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'. It is very slow and not that vigorous, but the new green leaves are very striking over the old dark black foliage.

The above followup was added by Daxin on February 21, 2009 at 10:12 am PST.

Wells Medina had them last summer... not cheap though. Then I found cut foliage of it at a grocery store florist shop (always a great source for interesting plants) last October. I did more than 100 cuttings from it but they all froze when I left them out through about 27 degrees. I was caught off guard because I just didn't expect them to be THAT frost tender. If I have the chance I'll give it another shot next year.

The above followup was added by Ian on February 23, 2009 at 10:29 pm PST.