FRESH PICK WHAT TO PLANT THIS WEEK IPOMOEA BATATAS.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Staff Writer

FANS OF BLACK clothing can now dress their gardens in black foliage, thanks to Blackie, the sweet potato vine with a great drape of blackish- purple leaves.

Blackie (Ipomoea batatas), which started the whole dark and sultry summer garden trend, was first seen a couple of years ago in New York's plant district and quickly became the darling of gardening magazines and fashion mavens. Now it's hit California nurseries, where it's being planted in beds, pots and hanging baskets, often with other black beauties, says Barbara Brown, a plant buyer for Sperling Nursery in Calabasas.

And, like many ``stars,'' Blackie comes from rather ordinary stock - the common Morning Glory associated with country cottages.

GETTING STARTED: Blackie is a tropical perennial from tuberous roots, sold in small pots and ready to be planted now, about 10 to 12 inches apart in borders, beds, window boxes and hanging baskets.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE: This hearty plant can be grown indoors, but the newest trend is to keep it outdoors in partial to full sun. However, use caution in the hotter areas of the San Fernando Valley. The plants should be well irrigated and fed biweekly with plant food, says Brown. The striking foliage will last until the first really cold snap. At about the same time, you'll discover a large tuber growing in the soil - hence the name sweet potato vine - but it's not edible.

VARIETIES: Like the plant but want some color? Ipomoea batatas also comes in a striking shade of green called Terrace Lime, as well as a green leaf with white and pink variegation called Pink Frost. Other members of the Ipomoea family produce flowers, including Morning Glory, Moonflowers, Blue Dawn and Cypress Vine.

LANDSCAPE TIPS: The trailing Blackie mixes well with other types of dark foliage including Zulu Wonder (Plectranthus ciliatus), a burgundy-stemmed trailing ground cover; the black coleus called Inky Fingers; the shiny dark Bressingham Bronze (a heuchera hybrid); and, if space permits, the huge Black Magic elephant ear plant (another newcomer to the West Coast) with 18-inch black leaves. Having trouble finding it? Black Magic is also known as Colocasia esculenta, according to the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center in New York.

Note that in a traditional flower bed you'll want taller plants in back, like the elephant ears, with lower trailing plants like Blackie out in front.

If you want summer brights such as marigolds to ``pop,'' Blackie will provide a great backdrop. It also looks great with blue flowers, says Brown.

Those who live in condos can still have some black glamour with hanging pots, as Blackie will drape well over the sides to show off a trail of distinctive black leaves.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Consult your local nursery or gardening club. You can learn more about Blackie at the Proven Selections Growers Web site, www.provenwinners.com, by clicking on the ``Search'' feature and requesting ``Blackie.'' Or call the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center at [phone]. For general information on using black foliage, see Christopher Lloyd's paperback book ``Color for Adventurous Gardeners'' (Firefly Books; $19.95) at garden and bookstores.

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Black plants are fashionable this year, particularly Blackie, the decorative sweet potato vine with dramatic foliage, available at Sperling Nursery in Calabasas.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer