The allure of very dark red roses captivates many. Among the most popular are the Black Baccara and Black Magic roses, both celebrated for their intense coloration. This article clarifies the distinctions between these two popular roses, guiding your selection.
Understanding the Black Baccara Rose
The Black Baccara rose is a hybrid tea cultivar renowned for its deep, velvety burgundy-black color, appearing almost black in certain lighting. Its blooms have a high-centered shape with up to 45 petals. French hybridizer Jacques Mouchotte bred this rose, introduced by Meilland International in 2000. Flowers measure 3 to 5 inches (7 to 12.7 cm) across and have little to no scent. Black Baccara is valued as a cut flower, lasting up to two weeks in a vase.
Understanding the Black Magic Rose
The Black Magic rose, a hybrid tea variety, showcases a rich, dark red to blackish-red hue, often appearing nearly black in low light. German breeder Hans Jürgen Evers developed this rose, introduced by Rosen-Tantau in 1995. Its large blooms, up to 5 inches (12 cm) in diameter, exhibit a high-centered form with 30 to 40 velvety petals. The Black Magic rose has a light, fruity, or mild to sweet fragrance. It has a robust, upright growth habit, reaching heights of 5 to 7 feet (150-210 cm) with a spread of 3 to 4 feet (90-120 cm), making it suitable for garden display and cut flower arrangements.
Direct Comparison: Black Baccara vs. Black Magic
Comparing the Black Baccara and Black Magic roses reveals several key differences. The Black Baccara often presents a deeper, more consistently burgundy-black shade, especially under cooler conditions. The Black Magic tends towards a rich, dark red with blackish undertones that become more apparent in certain light. Black Baccara’s “blackness” comes from a high concentration of dark red pigments, making it one of the closest roses to true black.
Both are hybrid teas with a high-centered shape, but Black Baccara often boasts a slightly higher petal count, up to 45. Fragrance is another distinguishing factor; Black Baccara has little to no scent, while Black Magic offers a light to mild, often fruity, fragrance.
Black Magic is known for its long, strong, and upright stems, making it particularly suitable for cutting. Both roses exhibit good vase life.
Regarding plant habit and hardiness, Black Magic typically grows taller with a more vigorous, upright, and bushy habit, reaching up to 7 feet. It is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10, with some sources indicating hardiness in zones 5-9. Black Baccara is a more compact, bushy shrub, growing to about 3 to 6 feet (90-180 cm) tall and 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) wide, and is hardy in USDA Zones 6 and warmer. Their color changes with age or sunlight exposure also differ; Black Baccara maintains its black-red color for most of the year, deepening to burgundy in summer, whereas Black Magic’s color can become richer in autumn as buds are less exposed to scorching sun.
Cultivation and Best Uses
Both Black Baccara and Black Magic roses thrive in full sun, requiring six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. They prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Consistent watering is important, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged, as neither tolerates standing water. Pruning, typically done in late winter or early spring, involves removing old, damaged, or crossing canes to encourage new growth and abundant flowering.
Black Baccara is primarily cultivated as a cut flower due to its deep, velvety color and excellent vase life. Black Magic, with its robust growth and disease resistance, is versatile for both cut flower production and garden landscaping. Its upright habit and striking blooms make it an excellent specimen plant, an accent in mixed borders, or a focal point in rose beds.
Choosing Your Ideal Dark Rose
Selecting between the Black Baccara and Black Magic roses depends on your specific gardening goals and aesthetic preferences. If you seek a rose primarily for cut flowers with an intense, almost black hue, Black Baccara is well-suited.
If you are looking for a garden rose that provides dark red blooms for landscape display, while also serving well as a cut flower, Black Magic offers a compelling choice. Its upright growth habit and adaptability to garden settings make it a robust addition. Evaluate your climate, available space, and desired visual impact to choose the dark rose that best complements your garden and personal style.