Black Baccara

Where to plant. A dark accent in a mixed border, a corner for cut flowers, or a 'Gothic'-style planting against a pale wall or silver foliage, where the deep colour shows best. Light: best with morning sun and shade from the midday heat, or dappled shade. In open, scorching sun the petal edges burn and the colour fades to ordinary dark red.

Care. Regular watering at the base, feeding to keep the bush strong, spring pruning; disease prevention as needed.

Name. Baccara was a famous red cut rose from Meilland in the 1950s; Black Baccara is its 'black' successor, bred as the darkest cut flower for florists.

Breeding. Jacques Mouchotte, Meilland International (France), 2000; patent code MEIdebenne. Do not confuse it with the older Baccará of 1954, which is a bright red variety. Special feature: the colour depends strongly on temperature – in cool spring and autumn the flower is almost black, while in summer heat it fades. That is why it looks most dramatic in shade and in cool weather.