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Some flowers stand out for colors that seem almost improbable: blue blooms framed by black calyces, iris petals striped in violet, or glossy spathes that look nearly black. Here, “rare” means unusual-looking or uncommon in cultivation—not a claim that a plant is threatened. These seven examples also show how color can come from different parts of a flower, and why their growing needs vary widely.
Seven flowers with unusual color palettes
| Flower | Color and form | Growing setting and key needs |
|---|---|---|
| Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ | Dark blue flowers rise in spikes, set against black calyces. | Full sun and well-drained soil. The RHS rates it H3 for UK conditions; this is a UK hardiness rating, not a universal frost threshold. RHS plant profile. |
| Iris paradoxa | Standards may be white with blue-violet veining, deep purple, pale blue, or pale yellow. The falls can be dark, veined, or golden yellow. | Full sun and very well-drained soil. It becomes dormant in late summer. RHS plant profile. |
| Vanda coerulea | The blue vanda orchid has three natural color variations; pale blue is the best-known. | A tropical epiphyte, better suited to a greenhouse or conservatory for many growers than an outdoor perennial. RHS plant profile. |
| Black anthurium | Glossy, heart-shaped spathes appear dark purple-black. The showy spathe is not the same as a flower petal. | Tender; provide bright, indirect light and an acidic potting mix. RHS plant profile. |
| Azorina vidalii | The Azores bellflower has large, waxy pink-and-white bells and a semi-succulent habit. | Not frost tolerant, so it needs a suitable mild climate or frost protection. RHS plant profile. |
| Iris ‘Deep Black’ | Dark purple-black flowers contrast with blue-black beards. | Full sun and moist but well-drained soil. This is a named cultivar, not a species name. RHS plant profile. |
| Moraea species | A botanical paper describes floral markings that can include blackish, navy blue, emerald green, and iridescent effects. | The cited evidence supports this example at genus level; it does not establish a single species or its cultivation requirements. Botanical paper hosted by Missouri Botanical Garden. |
How these flowers create their striking effects
“Black” is often a horticultural description of very dark color rather than a literal, pure black. The examples here are described more precisely as dark purple-black spathes or flowers, or as black calyces surrounding blue blooms. That distinction matters if you are choosing plants for a particular palette: the dark feature may be a backdrop or a separate floral structure, not the petals themselves.
- Contrasting floral parts: In Iris paradoxa, the standards and falls can differ in color and pattern. In ‘Black and Blue’ salvia, the dark calyx frames the blue flower.
- Unusual surface or pattern: The cited Moraea paper describes contrasting markings, including iridescent effects, while the vanda is noted for natural color variations.
- Color in the spathe: The black anthurium’s glossy, nearly black feature is its heart-shaped spathe.
Choose by growing conditions, not color alone
The plants are not interchangeable garden choices. Before selecting one, check whether it suits your climate and whether you can provide the right setting: a sunny, well-drained border for some irises and salvia, or protected tropical conditions for the vanda and anthurium. Frost sensitivity is a particular concern for black anthurium and Azorina vidalii; the RHS explicitly describes the latter as not frost tolerant.
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A specific potting mix for black anthurium
For black anthurium, the RHS recommends a mix of two parts ericaceous peat-free compost, one part horticultural grit, and one part orchid bark. Orchid bark is one ingredient in that recipe, not a complete growing medium on its own. See the RHS anthurium profile.
Keep hardiness ratings in context
The RHS H3 rating given for ‘Black and Blue’ salvia refers to UK conditions. It should not be treated as a promise of survival at a particular temperature in every region; local climate, drainage, and exposure affect how a plant fares.
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What “rare” means here
These flowers are included for their unusual colors or because they are uncommon in cultivation—not because they have been shown here to be endangered. The cited plant profiles do not establish conservation status for these examples, and there is no shared measure in the cited sources for ranking which is rarest. Treat the list as a palette of distinctive plants, not a conservation ranking.
Quick Recap
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- Sowing: When sowing African Rare Daisy seeds, it's recommended to lightly cover them with well-draining soil, avoiding excessive depth. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
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- Gardening Enjoyment: Cultivating these African Rare Daisies will allow you to experience the complete joy of gardening, from seed to bloom. Watching them emerge from the soil and gradually unfurl their unique and vibrant flowers is undoubtedly a fulfilling experience.
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- Unique Color Mix: Cultivate a dazzling display of passion flowers in a variety of rare and captivating colors.
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