Hybrid Tea Rose 'Black Baccara': Meilland's Dark Velvet Dream

Introduced in 2000 by Meilland, 'Black Baccara' (PP13152, also known as MEIdebenne) pushed the boundaries of rose color into near-black territory. Its blooms are a profound, velvety burgundy-black—the darkest commercially available rose—creating a gothic elegance that captivates and unsettles in equal measure.

Botanical Profile

The high-centered buds open slowly into classic hybrid tea form, the petals so deeply pigmented they absorb light. In cool weather, the color deepens to true black; in heat, it reveals its burgundy undertones. The fragrance is slight—typical for dark red roses. The plant is upright and vigorous, 4-5 feet tall, with dark green, semi-glossy foliage. 'Black Baccara' was bred primarily for the cut-flower trade, where its dramatic color and exceptional vase life (up to two weeks) made it an instant sensation. In the garden, it's a conversation piece—a rose that looks like it was cut from midnight velvet.