History

• Starting in the Victorian Era, the color of roses started taking on meaning. Black is associated with death and farewell, so the black rose is often used for funerals or during periods of mourning. When sent to a lover or a friend, it symbolizes the death of the relationship. Not all black rose connotations are negative though. According to Meaning of Roses.com, "groups have also adopted the black rose as a symbol of mutiny and strength. Therefore, the meaning of the black rose also includes courage and resistance."
  
  

Types

• The Black Magic rose starts out as a black bud and blooms into a deep garnet flower. The Black Baccara rose also starts out black before blooming into a blackberry or burgundy color. The Black Beauty rose blooms a deep crimson, but the undersides of the petals look velvety, blackish red.
  
  

Make Your Own

• Although rose breeders have not as yet created a natural black rose, if you want black roses, you can use a simple trick to create your own. Buy white roses and strip their leaves. Place them in a vase of warm water and add black ink or coloring to the water. Leave them for a few days. The roses will draw the black water up through the stems, turning the petals black.