The world authority of colors, Pantone, has recently revealed its highly anticipated Color of the Year for 2018, PANTONE 18-3838 – or as most know it, Ultra Violet. The choice is described by Pantone as “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, ultra violet communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.” Pantone’s Color of the Year selections are intended to reflect the current moods, fashion trends and current concepts in the world at the time.
Ultra Violet is quite a contrast from Pantone’s color selection for 2017, which was the grassy fresh, revitalizing shade, Greenery, PANTONE 15-0343. While Greenery was all about finding clarity and harmony in a turbulent world, Ultra Violet seems to welcome the unknown. Designers and brands are encouraged to use the appointed color to inspire and influence everything from home and business design, to housewares and fashion to art and food. One things for certain, this color will be appearing everywhere from upholstery, to lipstick and shoes, to just about everything imaginable, including the garden.
For the garden industry, the key to any color trend is knowing how to utilize and incorporate it into relevant products like pots, tools, outdoor decor and accessories and of course, plant material and landscape design. And luckily for the plant world, purple is one of the most popular flower colors and has long been a staple in the garden. If you would like to jump on the Ultra Violet color trend bandwagon, try incorporating some of these purple variety plants into your garden in 2018:
Perennials: asters, meadow sage, agastache, tulips, coneflower, iris, allium, dahlias, lavender, huchera and agapanthus
Annuals: verbena, petunia, angelona, salvia, sweet pea, zinnia and sage
Trees & Shrubs: lilac, clematis, loropetalum, crepe myrtle, hydrangeas, liriope, beauty berry, azaleas, butterfly bush and hyrdrangea
Vegetables: eggplant, and purple beans, carrots, ornamental cabbage and peppers.