Burgundy flowers bring a sense of deep, sophisticated drama to any garden or floral display. This rich, complex color is a blend of deep crimson, purple, and brown undertones, mirroring the hues of fine red wine. Incorporating burgundy blooms creates immediate visual depth, transforming a common planting into an area of high contrast and elegance. The resulting aesthetic adds a moody and luxurious atmosphere sought after in modern horticulture. The color’s intensity allows it to serve as a stunning focal point or a grounding element in mixed arrangements.
Understanding the Color Burgundy in Flowers
The color of burgundy is a direct result of plant pigments known as anthocyanins. These water-soluble compounds, a class of flavonoids, are stored within the plant’s cellular vacuoles. Anthocyanins are responsible for nearly all the red, purple, and blue coloration observed in the plant kingdom. A flower achieves a burgundy or deep maroon hue when there is a high concentration of these pigments.
The final color expressed is highly dependent on the cellular pH of the petals, with the pigment shifting along a spectrum. More acidic conditions tend to produce brighter reds, while less acidic, or more neutral, conditions push the color toward the deeper purples and near-black tones that define burgundy. This wine-like shade is a natural chemical balance, distinct from the genetics that produce bright scarlet or true purple.
Specific Burgundy Flower Varieties
Many popular garden and cutting flowers have been bred to display the deep burgundy shade, offering options for every season and garden style.
Dahlias
Among the most dramatic are the Dahlias, which showcase their color in large, multi-petaled forms. Cultivars like ‘Arabian Night’ and ‘Diva Dahlia’ feature massive, crushed-raspberry blooms. Others, such as ‘Karma Choc’ and ‘Rip City,’ present petals so saturated they appear nearly black, especially at the center. The size and density of the dahlia bloom make it a powerhouse of dark color in the late summer garden.
Roses
For elegance, several varieties of Roses provide deep, velvety burgundy petals. The ‘Black Magic Rose,’ a hybrid tea, is highly prized in the floral trade for its dark, brooding crimson-black color and long, sturdy stems. Another excellent choice is the ‘Burgundy Iceberg’ rose, a Floribunda type that produces clusters of wine-hued blooms on a robust shrub. These roses offer a classic texture that elevates the deep color.
Spring Bloomers
The deep color is also found in spring bloomers, such as the Hellebore and Peony. Hellebores, often called Lenten Roses, feature nodding, cup-shaped flowers, with varieties like ‘Wedding Party Dark and Handsome’ presenting shades of deep plum to near-black. A tree peony is ‘Black Panther,’ which unfurls large, woody perennial blooms in shades of deep burgundy that often contrast sharply with bright yellow stamens.
Smaller Varieties
Smaller, more delicate flowers also contribute to the dark palette. These include the annual Scabiosa and the tuberous Chocolate Cosmos. The ‘Black Knight’ Scabiosa features deep burgundy-black blooms on tall stems, which are highly attractive to pollinators. The Chocolate Cosmos is unique, offering deep maroon flowers that release a distinct, faint scent of vanilla and cocoa. For a tropical look, the ‘Australia’ Canna Lily is often grown for its deep, maroon-black foliage, and its flowers also carry a rich, dark red-burgundy tone.
Design Considerations for Dark Hues
The depth of burgundy flowers requires careful placement to maximize their visual impact in a landscape or arrangement. Because dark colors absorb light, a burgundy bloom can easily disappear into the background if planted in a shady location. Placing these flowers where they receive adequate sunlight, or where they can be viewed up close, allows their deep pigments to be fully appreciated. Direct sun often makes the dark, glossy petals shine, adding a textural dimension.
The most effective way to utilize dark hues is by creating intentional contrast with lighter colors and textures. Pairing burgundy flowers with plants that have silver foliage, such as Lamb’s Ears, or with bright, chartreuse-green leaves, makes the wine tones instantly pop. White, cream, pale yellow, or soft pink flowers also serve as excellent companions, providing a bright backdrop that allows the sophisticated depth of the burgundy to stand out.
In floral arrangements, the deep color of a burgundy bloom adds visual weight and a sense of luxury. Florists often use them to create a grounding focal point, mixing them with different leaf sizes and textures to build a sophisticated composition.