Black And White Flowers
Tired of the usual red, yellow, and pink colour of flowers usually found in gardens? Black and white flowers will make a difference. Tulips are such flowers that inject a bold flash of colour into your garden.
Another of the black and white type of plants is the mulberry flowers. The white mulberry is native to central and eastern China. However centuries ago they became naturalized in Europe. Introduced in America for silk-worm culture, they were naturalized and hybridized with the native red mulberry. The red mulberry is native to the Eastern parts of America from Massachusetts to Kansas and down to the Gulf Coast. The Black mulberry is native to Western Asia and has been grown for its fruits in Europe since before Roman times.
The White mulberry is tolerant to drought, pollution and poor soil condition. It is however considered a weed tree in many parts of the country and the urban areas. The Black mulberry is more fastidious, unable to thrive in cold climates or areas with humid summers. The white mulberry is cold hardy as compared to the black and red mulberry. This however differs from one clone to another. While some are damaged at 25deg. F, others are unfazed at -25deg. F. The black mulberry is the least cold hardy, the red being able to withstand sub-zero temperatures.
The black and white mulberries are deciduous trees but vary in size. White mulberry tree grow up to 80 ft. and are variable in form, including drooping and pyramidal shapes. The black mulberry is the smallest, growing up to 30ft. in height.
The flowers of the black and white mulberry are held on short green, pendulous catkins that appear in the axils of the current season's growth and on spurs on older wood. They are wind pollinated although; some cultivars will bear fruit without pollination. These black and white flowers need full sun and adequate space. The distance between the trees being about 15 ft. However these trees should not be planted near a side walk as the fallen fruit will stain the walkway and be tracked indoors!
For the gardener who likes to explore or try new things, the black flowers and foliage appeal. Black colour in the garden, enhance all the other colors. Black flowers have that touch of sophistication. 'Black Gem' Cornflower and superstition iris look dangerous but beautiful next to their paler sisters. However, choosing black flowers to grow in your garden can be a challenge. 'Queen of Night' is a near black tulip that looks great especially when it is mixed with other paler colors like pale pink, yellow etc.