Difference Between Black Baccara & Black Magic Roses

True black-coloured roses don't exist in nature, but the closest you can get are the Black Baccara and Black Magic roses. Both the Black Baccara and the Black Magic varieties are long-stemmed hybrid tea roses, but a few subtle differences exist between the two. Consider the differences before buying these roses or attempting to grow them in your garden.

For the darkest black-coloured roses, choose the Black Baccara. While it is not truly black, it has a deep-red colour that resembles black in its shading and along its edges. The Black Magic rose is also a dark red or burgundy colour, but it is not quite as dark as the Black Baccara. Both types of roses are darkest before the blooms fully open. Once the blooms open, the red colour is revealed more fully.

Both of these roses have long stems and large blooms when they are mature. The Black Baccara can grow anywhere between 1.2 and 1.8 m (4 and 6 feet) high and requires 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet) between it and the next plant in the garden. Black Magic roses grow in abundance in warm climates; they can reach as much as 3 m (10 feet) tall. Since these flowers are large and have such deep colouring, they are fitting additions to cut floral arrangements.

Neither the Black Baccara nor the Black Magic rose has the same fragrance as a typical rose. In fact, it is very likely that you won't detect any fragrance at all from the Black Baccara. The Black Magic rose does produce a potent fragrance, though; it smells like the Guinee rose, from which it is created. If fragrance is important to you, opt for the Black Magic rose.

Originally designed for use in cut arrangements, the Black Baccara rose does not grow well in gardens. The Black Baccara can last for a long time in its cut form, but to grow it can be difficult. It is susceptible to numerous diseases, and is not likely to thrive in a garden. Black Magic roses, on the other hand, can flourish in gardens in the UK.