Black wedding flowers. A little controversial, perhaps. But So much fun.
Yes, they’re goth. Yes, they’re punk. Yes, maybe they’re a little bit Halloween. I’m here for all of it. After all, I carried black calla lilies for my own wedding. The teenage punk in me couldn’t help it.
Let’s not play games: black flowers mean business. They’re a statement. They’re an attitude. They’re so bloody cool. But before you start searching for black roses, there’s something you need to know.
Do black flowers actually exist?
Not naturally, not truly.
There are flowers that look almost black, but nature doesn’t really produce a true black flower. The darkest naturally grown flowers are usually an extremely deep burgundy, red, purple or brown. And honestly? They’re black enough.
Flowers such as ‘Black Baccara’ roses can look almost black, particularly in certain light, but their actual colour is an incredibly dark burgundy-red.
If you want a true black flower, that’s where dyed, preserved or artificially coloured flowers come in. So when you see photographs online of an apparently pitch-black rose, it may not be a naturally black rose at all.
What about black roses?
This is probably the question you’re really here for.
Are black roses real?
There is no naturally grown true black rose.
The roses sold or photographed as “black roses” are generally one of three things:
- Naturally very dark burgundy roses
- Dyed, preserved or sprayed roses
- Artificial roses
The closest naturally grown roses include varieties such as ‘Black Baccara’ and ‘Black Magic’. ‘Black Baccara’ is particularly dark, with velvety burgundy-red petals that can appear almost black. There’s also ‘Black Beauty’, a much smaller rose that can be exceptionally dark, although it is much less commonly available commercially.
So if you’ve been saving Pinterest photos of black roses, don’t panic. The look is absolutely achievable. We just need to work out which version makes sense for your wedding.
The Blackest Naturally Grown Flowers
Here’s the important distinction: the flowers in this table are naturally grown flowers that can look black. I’m not including dyed or preserved flowers here, because technically they’re not naturally black.
| Flower | Typical NZ season | Colour in reality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calla lily | Dec – April | Deep purple to near-black | Minimalist bouquets, statement arrangements |
| ‘Black Baccara’ rose | Imported year-round on special order only | Very dark burgundy-red | Classic bouquets and romantic arrangements |
| ‘Black Magic’ rose | Year-round, speciality variety. | Deep dark red/burgundy | Bouquets and arrangements |
| ‘Black Beauty’ mini rose | Limited / uncommon | Extremely dark burgundy | Small details and unusual bouquets |
| Anemone | May – Sep | Deep burgundy | Moody bouquets, spring/winter weddings |
| Dahlia | Nov – Apr | Deep burgundy, plum | Garden-style bouquets and installations |
| Pompon gerbera | Year-round commercial supply | Very deep burgundy/red | Playful & gardeny arrangements |
| Tulip | May-Nov | Very dark purple/burgundy | Modern and minimalist designs |
| Peony | Nov – Dec | Deep burgundy/red | Romantic summer arrangements |
| Scabiosa | Dec – Mar | Deep burgundy/plum | Wildflower and garden-style bouquets |
| Ranunculus | Sept – Dec | Deep burgundy/red | Romantic bouquets |
| Chocolate cosmos | Summer – autumn | Deep chocolate-burgundy | Wildflower and garden-style designs |
| Sweet William | Spring – summer | Deep burgundy/red | Relaxed, garden-style arrangements |
Seasonality is a guide only. Flower availability can move around depending on weather, growing conditions, growers, imports and what is actually coming through the flower markets when your wedding is being designed.
Black calla lilies
If you’re looking for a flower that can genuinely carry a whole design on its own, black calla lilies are it.
They’re sleek, sculptural and dramatic, which makes them particularly good for a minimalist bouquet. You don’t need much else.
I might be biased because I carried them at my own wedding, but I think a simple bouquet of dark calla lilies is ridiculously cool.
Calla lilies are generally available through the warmer months in New Zealand, approximately December to April.
Black roses
The two names you’ll often come across are ‘Black Baccara’ and ‘Black Magic’. Neither is actually black, but ‘Black Baccara’ is one of the darkest roses available, with extremely dark burgundy-red, velvety petals.
If you want something that feels more traditional and romantic while still being seriously dark, roses are a great option. And if you want something really black, that’s when we start looking at dyed or preserved roses.
Anemones
Dark anemones are such a cool flower. They’re usually a deep burgundy rather than true black, but that black centre gives them a really dramatic look. They’re also a lovely way to bring black into a bouquet without making the whole thing feel heavy.
Anemones are a cool-season flower in New Zealand, generally available from around May to September.
Dahlias
Dark dahlias are spectacular. They can range from deep burgundy through plum and almost-black shades, and their size makes them much more of a statement flower than something like scabiosa.
They’re also fantastic for a garden-style or wildflower-inspired wedding because they don’t have to make an arrangement feel formal. Dahlias are generally a summer to early-autumn flower in New Zealand, roughly December to April.
Scabiosa
If you want black flowers but don’t want your bouquet to look too polished or formal, scabiosa is your friend.
Its dark, slightly wild appearance works beautifully with other garden-style flowers, especially roses, dahlias and Sweet William. Scabiosa is generally a summer flower, around December to March.
Chocolate cosmos
Technically, chocolate cosmos is more deep chocolate-burgundy than black, but I’m putting it on the list because it fits the mood perfectly. The flowers are dark, velvety and daisy-like, with flowering generally through summer and into autumn.
One caveat: although chocolate cosmos is a gorgeous garden plant, it’s not something I’d promise as a standard commercially available florist flower for every wedding. It’s more of a lucky find or grower connection.
What About Black Pansies, Hellebores and Iris?
You might see these mentioned on lists of black flowers too.
Black pansies, black petunias, dark hellebores and very dark bearded iris absolutely exist as garden flowers.
The problem is that being grown in a garden and being commercially available as a florist-quality cut flower are two completely different things.
They’re not flowers I would build a wedding proposal around in New Zealand because they’re not reliably available through the commercial flower trade.
So yes, they exist. No, that doesn’t necessarily mean your florist can put them in your bouquet.
Can You Get True Black Flowers for a Wedding?
Yes, if you’re willing to use dyed, preserved or artificial flowers.
This is where things get interesting. Preserved rose heads can be genuinely black, and there are also dyed flowers available in much deeper blacks than you can get naturally.
Florists can also carefully colour certain flowers themselves. Yes, sometimes we cheat.
And before you imagine something that looks like it belongs in a craft store, hear me out. A little florist spray paint can work absolute magic. Done properly, you’d be surprised how convincing it can be.
It’s not something I’d do to every flower in a bouquet, but for the right design it can be a really effective way of getting a very specific shade. If you’re after an entirely black floral look outside the natural flower season, artificial flowers are another option.
I’ve created many weddings using only artificial flowers before, and the result was incredible.
When Are Black Flowers in Season in New Zealand?
Unlike blue flowers, black flowers don’t have one particular season. That’s because we’re really talking about a collection of very different flowers, each with its own growing season.
Spring
Spring gives you some beautiful dark options, particularly anemones and ranunculus, with tulips also available through the cooler months. This can be a gorgeous time for a moody, romantic black-and-burgundy palette.
Summer
Summer is one of the best times for a garden-style black flower wedding. You’ve got calla lilies, dahlias, scabiosa, peonies and chocolate cosmos, depending on the exact timing and availability.
This is when I’d really lean into the garden side of black flowers rather than making everything feel formal.
Autumn
Autumn is brilliant for dark flowers.
Dahlias, scabiosa and chocolate cosmos can bring those deep burgundy and almost-black tones into a really abundant, textural arrangement, while calla lilies can extend into the early part of the season.
Winter
Winter is trickier if you want lots of naturally dark flowers. Anemones and ranunculus can give you some beautiful options if you’re wedding is in late August, but if you have your heart set on a very specific black flower or an entirely black bouquet, this is where dyed, preserved or artificial flowers can give you much more freedom.
How Do You Style Black Wedding Flowers?
Every way possible. That’s the beauty of them. You can take black flowers in a few completely different directions.
Moody garden wedding
This is where I’d use flowers such as:
- Dark roses
- Scabiosa
- Dahlias
- Sweet William
- Dark foliage
- Other seasonal garden flowers
Keep the arrangement loose and abundant, and let the dark flowers sit amongst the softer textures. You don’t need to make everything black.
Minimalist black wedding flowers
Or go completely the other way. One flower type. One colour. No fuss. A simple bouquet of black calla lilies is a perfect example.
Black flowers don’t always need a complicated arrangement around them. Sometimes less is much more dramatic.
Black and white
You really can’t go wrong with this combination. Black flowers against white flowers create a strong contrast that feels modern, elegant and dramatic without being overly complicated.
Black and fuchsia
Now we’re having fun. Deep burgundy-black flowers with fuchsia can look incredible. It’s bold, slightly rebellious and definitely not your standard wedding palette. And I am completely here for it.
The Secret to Making Black Flowers Look Good
Keep it simple. Black flowers already have a point of view. You don’t need to force them into a complicated colour palette or design. Let them work their magic.
If you’re going dark, lean into the vibe.
You don’t have to apologise for it or soften it until it becomes a beige wedding with one black flower.
Want goth? Go goth. Want punk? Go punk. Want modern and minimalist? Do that. Want romantic and gardeny? Absolutely. Black flowers are a statement, so let them be one.
Can You Have an Entirely Black Wedding Bouquet?
Absolutely. But there’s an important distinction between an entirely naturally dark bouquet and a genuinely black bouquet.
If you want every flower to be naturally grown and black-looking, your options will be limited to the darkest burgundies, purples and browns that nature can produce.
If you want a bouquet that actually reads as black, we can use dyed, preserved, artificially coloured or artificial flowers to get there.
And honestly, I think both approaches can look fantastic. The important thing is knowing what you’re actually asking for, and choosing the flowers and materials that will create the look.
Black Flowers Are Not for Everyone. That’s the Point.
Black wedding flowers aren’t traditional. They’re not soft. They’re not trying to be universally pretty.
And that’s exactly why I love them.
If you’re the kind of couple who looks at a traditional white-and-green wedding and thinks, “Absolutely not,” black flowers might be right up your alley.
Whether you want one dramatic black calla lily bouquet or an entire wedding filled with dark burgundy garden flowers, there’s plenty we can do.
And if your favourite black flower isn’t naturally available for your wedding date? We’ll cheat. A little. You won’t tell anyone.
Keen on black flowers for your wedding? I’d love to help! Get in touch to chat about your wedding floral vision!
Continue Planning Your Wedding:
Explore More of Our Wedding Guides
- Wedding Flowers in Season – See what’s in season in NZ throughout the year.
- Wedding Flowers by Month – See what our top flower picks are for the month you’re getting married
- Wedding Flowers by Type – Get to know different flowers and when they’re available.
- Wedding Flower Colours – Check out our guides to different wedding flower colour palettes.
- Wedding Flower Planning – Get practical advice on budgets, costs and choosing your florist.
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View the Avant Garden wedding flower portfolio for more wedding flower inspiration.