Bred by Delbard; a descendant of Papa Meilland; the black bud opens into a rich red flower with an almost black reverse to the petals.
French breeding by Delbard
Most dramatic at the bud stage
USDA zone 6b–9b. Light winter protection in the north.
Compare reference temperatures
Good for a classic Hybrid Tea.
Morning sun and midday shade – to keep the blackness.
Standard for a Hybrid Tea.
Dark green, semi-glossy.
Rich red with an almost black reverse to the petals; the blackness is strongest in the bud
Lamb's earsilvery
Salvia 'Caradonna'violet
Heuchera 'Palace Purple'purple foliage
Gypsophilawhite cloudHeuchera 'Palace Purple'Dark velvet reds — including her 'parent' Papa Meilland — and a light accent:
Silver, violet and purple foliage — so that the black bud stands out:
A light surround brings out the blackness of the flower:
Where to plant. A dark accent in a mixed border, a showy group against a light background, or a cutting patch – the buds are especially striking when cut. Light: morning sun and shade from the midday heat. In scorching sun the blackness disappears and the petals scorch, so the colour holds best in dappled shade and in cool weather.
Care. Watering at the base, spring pruning by 1/3, feeding; disease prevention as needed.
Name. Black Beauty – for the dark, almost black bud and the reverse of the petals.
Breeding. Bred by the Delbard house (France) in 1973; among its parents is the famous dark Papa Meilland, from which the variety inherited its deep colour. Do not confuse: there is another rose with this name – a cut-flower floribunda from Kordes. This entry describes the 1973 Delbard garden rose – the 'classic' Black Beauty for the garden.
The cultivar’s reference temperature is −23 °C (USDA zone 6b–9b). Overwintering depends on the conditions.
Repeat-flowering in flushes through the season.
75–120 cm tall, about 60 cm wide.
Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good for a classic Hybrid Tea.
Partial shade; morning sun and midday shade – to keep the blackness.
Light.
