Near-Black Blooms That Turn Heads in Late Spring

Black Is Black is a tall bearded iris with velvety, deep purple-black petals so dark they read as pure black in full sun. Sturdy 3-foot stems carry several buds each, so the show unfolds over weeks above a fan of blue-green, sword-shaped foliage that keeps beds looking sharp long after the flowers fade.

Iris rhizomes are famously easygoing: they want sun, average soil, and good drainage, and they ask very little after that. Plant them along a walkway, mix them into a perennial border for contrast against pastels and silvers, or grow a clump in a wide container on a sunny patio where the dark color really registers up close.

Why You'll Love the Black Is Black Bearded Iris

• Rare color: Deep, velvety purple-black flowers that stand out against every other spring bloomer.
• Low maintenance: Drought tolerant once established and content in average, well-drained soil.
• Deer and rabbit resistant: Critters generally leave iris foliage and rhizomes alone.
• Multiplies over time: Clumps expand each year and can be divided to spread the color around your yard.
• Container friendly: Grows well in a wide pot for patios, balconies, and small-space gardens.

Plant a few this season and you'll have a dramatic, hardy focal point that returns bigger every spring.