British gardens are set to turn a shade of black next summer after horticulturists developed the world’s first black petunia plant.

The dramatic new flowers, named Black Velvet, were developed using natural breeding techniques to turn them a dark black colour and will be on sale at a premium price of £2-£3 per plant. The rare plants, which have taken four years to perfect, are due to blossom in British gardens for the first time next spring.