Back in 2010, UK Flower breeders Ball Colegrave announced that they had created the first black flower.
They came pretty close, but a true black colour in a flower is scientifically impossible. What Ball Colegrave flower breeder Jianping Ren had developed was a very dark purple petunia that is still available today and is know as, ‘Black Velvet’. Still very impressive, as up until this time, there was nothing anywhere near this depth of black in any flower, let alone a petunia.
Stuart Lowen, from Ball Colegrave in Banbury said: 'It's completely unique. It's the first black petunia anywhere in the world. It was created by experimenting with existing colours already on the market and breeding them using traditional methods. We don't use any genetic modification at all, just pollination.”
Flower naturally grow in many colours, just not black. The pigments that flowers employ to colour their petals don't produce black. While ‘black-looking’ flowers are found occurring naturally, breeders also select flowers with the highest levels of red and blue pigments and when cross them together. In doing so, they can sometimes create very dark purple petals and leaves.
Flower colour will slightly change or add an additional layer to the meanings and energies of flowers. Black will actually make the meanings far more powerful, stronger and, be careful, even more aggressive. Below are just a few black flowers and their meanings and energies. You can connect with these via the fresh or dried flowers, botanical creations made with them, flower essences and images (photos, artwork, oracle cards) or through meditation and visualisation.
'Queen of the Night' Tulip (Tulipa spp.)
'I only want you', desire, passion, self-improvement, new goals attained
Black Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)
you can do this, encouragement, dignity, confidence, vitality, increased inner strength, creative success, standing strong in faith
Black Bat Orchid (Tacca chantrieri)
fearlessness, awareness, developed intuition, protection
Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger)
mental control, protection, plant alchemy, banishing, exorcism, increased intelligence
Black Arum Lily (Zantedeschia Schwarzwalder)
magnificent beauty, complete rejuvenation, dignity
Black Cranesbill Geranium (Geranium phaeum)
'I want to be with you', silent mind, luxuriant elegance and comfort, fertility, passionate love, virility
Black Petunia (Petunia 'Balpevac')
'I want to be with you', do not give up, protection, anger, resentment, enthusiasm, clarity, goals
Do you have or know of a black flower that you would like to know more about?
Let me know!
bunches of love,
Cheralyn 🌻
