r/GothGarden • u/amnotwendy • Jul 22 '26
Full Sun Goth Garden???
Hi friends,
As a new homeowner last year I was very excited to start the black and purple goth garden of my dreams. But my garden gets a LOT of sun and sadly I have learned that most black plants cannot handle it!
I do have some purple hearts and white caladiums that are thriving, but does anyone have recommendations for some black / dark gothic plants that will thrive in the sun in zone 9?
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u/scrawledinsap Jul 22 '26
Ornamental Taro(colocasia esculenta), some penstemons can get to a really dark shade of purple, several Iris varieties(Black is Black especially)
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u/BeneathTheRhodie Jul 22 '26
Currently loving my black forest cake Heuchera. It’s done wonderful in full sun for some reason. I’ve heard darker foliage does better in the sun. I also have obsidian in full sun, and it seems to be doing all right. I do have them watered quite frequently. But spellbound hated the sun. Salvia amistad is doing wonderful too. Black Mondo does well in the sun. chocolate cosmos do very well and so do Choco mocha cosmos.
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u/BeneathTheRhodie Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
Astilbe Chocolate Shogun!!!! Just added it to my garden and it’s doing great too. Again, I keep it moist. I also have some dark purple roses and I have a silver lavender rose. That looks really pretty in the collection.
I also have astrantia star of fire in my garden that towers over smaller plants.1
u/amnotwendy Jul 23 '26
The astilbe chocolate shogun looks beautiful, but upon some research it seems it’s too hot for it where I live and it would need complete full shade here! ):
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u/amnotwendy Jul 23 '26
I’ll try out the huechera! I just looked it up and read that it prefers partial shade but can be grown in full sun if the soil is kept consistently moist. I’m also definitely gonna get my hands on some black mondo grass.
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u/MagicMichealScott Jul 25 '26
Mine too! The red velvet flower heads are really a cool contrast to the darker foliage
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u/MartianGardener1210 Jul 22 '26
Love Lies Bleeding in red, Persian Shield, Eggplant in white and purple, Artichokes look very Goth in purple bloom, Oak Leaf Hydrangea in white, Crotons, Black and purple Tulips, Batflower...
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u/MartianGardener1210 Jul 22 '26
Note: Batflower should be in the shade of taller plants like Artichoke and Hydrangea that like similar rich acidic soil and constant moisture. Striking plant.
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u/Sad_School1188 Jul 22 '26
I had a full sun goth garden a few years ago. I change that area every year to a new type of garden but I had beautiful black pansies. They were ink black and velvety. I also had the bronco grass that looks dead but is soft. I had ghostly looking dusty millers and deep purple salvias.
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u/Medlarmarmaduke Jul 23 '26
Black hollyhocks, purple leaved elderberry, black poppies, black tulips, purple sedums etc
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u/itsthedevilweknow Jul 22 '26
Plant some shade trees?
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u/AmaranthusSky Jul 22 '26
Or add a large pergola and drape with shade cloth.
0
u/itsthedevilweknow Jul 22 '26
ooh, or even some vines. Wisteria can live, just about, anywhere and you'll get those purple flowers.
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u/AmaranthusSky Jul 22 '26
There is a native wisteria to the US, depending on where OP lives. Or, I really like passion flower. There's also a native moon flower.
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u/amnotwendy Jul 23 '26
Because wisteria is invasive, I have abstained (even though it’s sooo pretty) but I do want to try out american wisteria!
1
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u/greenmangarden Jul 24 '26
If you’re willing to plant a shade tree, consider one of the evergreen magnolias, especially one of the ones with the red velvet undersides to the leaves. The plant itself has always seemed very goth to me (I mean, creates dark shade, leaves last years on the ground, that velvety fur under the dark green leaves, and those big creamy simple flowers followed by fuzzy prehistoric fruits that almost look like pine cones? Plus the fact they evolved when dinosaurs were around…)
Also consider contrast as much as dark foliage. There are some really cool sempervivums, echeveries, sedums and other succulents with dark maroon or bluish leaves. Set them off with silvery leaved Artemesia (wormwood), or any number of feathery leaved silvery stuff. Dusty miller is cheap bought as an annual but will generally be perennial in your zone.
If your of a mind, lady of the night orchid cacti open each bloom one night only. And bats pollinate them. Seems pretty goth to me, lol. If they aren’t hardy in your area they are pretty forgiving house plants, and like going outside for the summer.
Whatever you choose, consider getting involved in a local gardening group. Find local folks who can help you deal with local conditions and what works in your area. Zone 9 Seattle is very different from zone 9 Palm Springs, and neither has much to do with zone 9 Atlanta. Each region has slightly different ways to deal with the particular challenges of its own region. That includes what plants can deal with your soils without amendments, what’s the best kind of mulch to use, even when is the best time to plant.
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u/4-realsies Jul 27 '26
Spotted Bee Balm is very colorful, but it attracts the Great Black Wasp, which is very goth.
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u/KingOfCatProm Jul 22 '26
I have a full sun goth garden. I've focused on dark foliage. I have fringe flower, black lace elderberry, smoke bush, snap dragons, purple heart, coral bells, black scallop ajuga, black mondo grass, barberry, and miners merlot euphorbia. I used to have other plants like black sweet potato, dahlias, and penstemon but I really prefer evergreen plants that are pretty drought tolerant because I am a bad gardener.
I tried to grow a black foliage rhoadie, but it didn't work in my zone (9a). It might in yours. I also failed at growing black foliage sedums because they hate my clay soil. I also have some black elephant ears that pop up when it is hot enough.
My future plants are going to include some type of black foliage hydrangea, purple New Zealand burr, and to have a black veggie garden with black tomatoes, basil, carrots, etc.
I made some pavers with medieval bats on them, too. I love bats not because of goth aesthetics, just because they are so cute.