Every season, those of us in the garden centre business, look forward to the announcement of the Pantone Colour of the Year. We know that you will be seeing those colours trending in fashion as well as home and garden décor. We need to be ready with plants that will pick up on that palette so that we have what you are looking for.
Some years the chosen colours are so boring, that we have a hard time getting excited. However, even if the colour palette doesn’t excite us, we know it will be trending.
This year Pantone has chosen two feature colours: Ultimate Grey and Illuminating, a sunny yellow. These two were announce as “a marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.”
Ultimate Grey is a quiet, strong colour. It is very neutral tone that will work in any situation. In the garden and in container plantings, grey foliage is a neutral bridge that can help blend colours that otherwise, wouldn’t look good together. Silvery grey foliage can also tone down colours that by themselves, might look a bit garish. It is also the perfect compliment to a neutral colour palette.
In the perennial garden, silvery grey foliage can be found in Silvermound Artemisia, a few Silenes, several varieties of Brunnera and Coral Bells, Lamium, some Hens and Chicks, a few hardy ferns, Sea Holly and Fescue grass. The addition of any of these varieties can add an area of calm and a sense of strength to the garden.
Some annuals to look for with silvery grey foliage include Silver Falls Dicondra, Artemisia Silver Cascade, Dusty Miller, Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Sage. Choose the right plant for your pots based on their habit of growth and light requirements.
There are many plants that have sunny, yellow flowers! Gerbera Daisies, Begonias, Million Bells, Echinacea, Argyranthemum Daisies, Daylilies Potentilla, and Bidens are a few that come to mind.
Yellow flowers add life to a garden, hanging basket or planter. They remind use that sunny, warm summer days will come. This bright shade of yellow will draw the eye to the flowers, pulling visitors into your garden or patio with a welcome sunny smile!
Grey has been a colour that has been trending for several years. It is very evident in houses being built, floors being laid, and walls being painted. Furniture fabric, window coverings, patio furniture, umbrellas and awnings are all available in shades of grey and grey toned patterns. The advantage of using grey as a base colour is that you can choose any colour to go with it to add a pop of life to your space.
Container manufacturers have jumped on board with grey as well. Pewter coloured pots are very predominant in most collections that we have seen.
Gone are the days of pale, washed out grey, or stone-grey. Ultimate Grey and pewter containers have a much warmer tone. These containers make the perfect base for any colour scheme you choose for flowers to accent your home.
Picture a neutral grey pot, sunny yellow flowers accented by silver foliage and maybe a touch of white to round out the design.
Want something with a bit more punch? Add in some hot pink, bold red or vibrant orange flowers to add more energy to your pots. Looking for a calmer look? Choose a mid pink, deep purple or blue to your design. The possibilities are endless when you are working with Ultimate Grey and Illuminating yellow.
February is the perfect time to look through gardening magazines, browse website, join Facebook groups, and explore Pinterest or Instagram photos. There is lots of inspiration to be found in any media that suits you. Choose your favorites, make a list, and browse the garden Centre benches in May, when businesses, hopefully, open again.
