How to Create Your Own Shadow Garden (Inspired by In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker)

 By Nicole Danielle

On our podcast, Romance on the Rocks, I recently reviewed In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker (Season 2 Episode 21: I’m Also in Love with Mothman). In the book, the mystical “shadow garden” is filled with fruits, herbs, flowers, and vegetables that take on a dark, mysterious beauty. Their blooms, fruits, or foliage all carrying shades of black, deep purple, or inky blue or green.

As a passionate gardener, reading about it got me thinking: what if you could create your own shadow garden at home? A space that feels both magical and moody, lush with plants that thrive in deep, dark tones. Below, I’ve rounded up suggestions for plants across categories (fruits, herbs, flowers, and vegetables), along with trusted sources where you can find them. (Be sure to verify that a plant will work in you region before purchasing.)

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Bulbs

• Tulip Black Hero — A dashing, dark and handsome Double Late Tulip that can look black in lower light and shadows. Source: Bluestone Perennials

• Tulip Queen of the Night — Velvety dark purple flowers almost look black. Source: Bluestone Perennials

• Hyacinth Bulbs Dark Dimension — Sultry and mysterious, Hyacinth Dark Dimension has an otherworldly quality that you don’t want to miss out on. Velvety eggplant-colored blooms exude an enchanting fragrance early spring, enriching container gardens and flower beds with their intense color and perfume. Ideal for borders, containers, or mass plantings, hyacinth’s petite bulbs and compact flower stalks are a versatile planting choice. With robust growth and reliable bloom, Dark Dimension ensures a dramatic and aromatic spring display that entices all the senses. Source: Eden Brothers

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Fruits

• Beer’s Black Fig Tree — Rich, sweet, buttery unctuousness so sought after in a great fig. Source: Stark Brothers

• Jewel Black Raspberry — High-quality, glossy black fruit on sturdy, upright canes. Source: Stark Brothers

• Cowart Muscadine Grape – Succulent bunches of blue-black, seeded grapes. Source: Stark Brothers

• Consort Black Current — Clusters of medium-sized, black, sweet-tart musky fruits ripen in late summer. Source: Burpee

• Black Cherry Tomato — True cherry tomatoes that are deep red with a blackish hue. Source: Burpee

• Black Beauty Eggplant — Over 100 years old, this 1902 Burpee introduction was an immediate hit because the plants ripened perfect fruits dramatically earlier than other varieties. Source: Burpee

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Herbs

• Purple Basil – Striking, almost-black foliage with classic basil fragrance. Source: Eden Brothers
  

• Smokey Bronze Fennel — The entire plant is edible and, added bonus: it’s a host plant for black swallow-tail butterflies! Source: Eden Brothers

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Flowers

• Iris germanic ‘All Night Long’ — The nearly black, generously ruffled blossoms of Iris germanica ‘All Night Long’ add definite drama to the late spring garden. The flowers flaunt attractive purple beards and emit a light fragrance, too. Source: White Flower Farm

• Sorbet Black Delight Viola — Dainty and dramatic cool-season charmer with velvety black blooms kissed with golden hearts. Source: American Meadows

• Hollyhock Blacknight — Numerous single-style blooms cover each tall flower spike towering over strong bushy foliage. The color is deepest black/purple. Source: Bluestone Perennials

• Helleborus Dark and Handsome — Sharply dressed in silky, near black to black-purple. Source: Bluestone Perennials

• Onyx & Pearls Penstemon — Pale-lavender flowers—so whisper-light they are nearly white—make chamber music with tall, enchanted foliage. Listen for the fluttering buzz of bees and hummingbirds around this handsomely hued focal point. Vase-perfect blooms make stunning bouquets. Can handle heat and drought without trouble. Source: Burpee

• Lily Night Rider — Not to be confused with 80’s nostalgia, the Night Rider is a new specialty lily that has made a big splash in the gardening community. A cross between Asiatic and trumpet lilies, these flowers are described as being “violet black” in the sunlight, but in light shade appear as nearly black. Source: Eden Brothers

• Scabiosa Black Knight — Scabiosa, the newest darling of the cut flower industry, has come out with some incredibly fun colors, namely Black Knight Scabiosa. This deepest maroon, near black button-shape blossom is both exotic and versatile. Source: Eden Brothers

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Perennials

• Elephant Ears Plumbea Nigra — Elephant Ears Bulbs Plumbea Nigra is a striking evergreen plant native to Indonesia. Its dramatic, nearly black, dark green leaves are supported by robust purple stems, creating a bold visual impact unlike no other plant in the garden. This Alocasia variety reaches a height of three to five feet, making it an excellent choice for adding a tropical, dramatic flair to gardens or patio containers. A fast-growing, broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial, it is prized for its glossy, eye-catching foliage. Commonly known as black metallic taro or nigra elephant ear. Source: Eden Brothers

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Vegetables

• Black Spanish Round Radish — Black radishes have been grown and savored in Europe since the 1500s. Source: Burpee

• Redarling Brussels Sprouts — A feast for the eyes and palette. ‘Redarling’s plump, jewel-like 1½” purple-red buttons are miniature marvels of flavor, serenely balancing bite and mild sweetness. Color-fast buttons are scrumptious steamed, broiled, or roasted—and excel as conversation-starting canapes. Easy-growing, prolific plants. Source: Burpee

• Deep Purple Hybrid Carrot — Perfectly purple feast of color. Source: Burpee

• Black Magic Kale — Unique, dark leaves. Source: Eden Brothers

• Montana Morado Maize — Corn the color of midnight. Source: Johnny Seeds

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Grasses & Ground Covers

• Andropogon Blackhawks — Long-lived, ornamental grass with foliage that emerges deep green to dark purple in spring deepening to near black by fall. Source: Bluestone Perennials

• Ophiopogon Nigrescens — Deepest purple-black shades on grass-like blades. Source: Bluestone Perennials

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Bonus: Designing Your Shadow Garden 🌙

While you can scatter these plants throughout an existing garden, designing a dedicated shadow garden can create a more cohesive, enchanting effect. Here are a few design tips:

• Anchor with contrast: Plant your darkest flowers and foliage (like tulips, bat flowers, or black scallop ajuga) against lighter backdrops or silvery-leaved plants for dramatic effect.

• Layer heights: Place tall, dramatic plants like hollyhock and eggplant toward the back, with groundcovers (ajuga) spilling at the edges.

• Seasonal interest: Mix perennials like columbine and tulips with annual vegetables and herbs for continuous waves of moody beauty.

• Add atmosphere: Incorporate dark planters, wrought iron trellises, or fairy lights to enhance the mysterious, magical vibe.

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Whether you’re drawn to the gothic romance of black tulips or the witchy appeal of purple basil, a shadow garden brings a little book-inspired magic to your outdoor space.

Which of these plants would you include in your shadow garden? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to listen to our full Romance on the Rocks episode for my review of In the Shadow Garden! You can also read my in-depth “book report” here.