The calendar has turned over into a new year. A chance to start afresh, make aspiring resolutions and relax after the buzz of the holiday season. And let’s not forget Pantone’s Color of the Year!
Each year, the Pantone Color Institute chooses the Color of the Year, capturing the current cultural mood and attitude. In 2000, Pantone released their first color of the year, Cerulean. Since then, the yearly choice has spanned several colors. A team of Pantone staffers travels the world looking for color trends in fashion, art, and film, as well as connecting with locals at each stop along the way to choose the year’s hue.
2018’s Pantone Color of the Year is Ultra Violet. Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, comments on the color by saying, “We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level. From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.”
The Ultra Violet hue has a mystical quality to it and is often linked to cultural movements and iconic figures that push the boundaries. So, let this be the year you push the boundaries in your outdoor living areas by adding in this gorgeous shade.
Choose from several plant color combinations to highlight the violet color in your landscape. From cool tones to monochromatic looks, you can add in Ultra Violet and create a stunning display for the spring and summer months that we are dreaming of.
For a serene atmosphere in partial sun areas, group together the lime green of limelight hydrangea, chartreuse of lady’s mantle and the famous purple hue in monkshood.
To liven up your garden against Ultra Violet, choose warm oranges and yellows.
Great selections for full sun include Siberian iris ‘Caesar’s brother’, yarrow ‘Coronation gold,’ and blanket flower ‘Arizona sun’.
For shady areas, you can still add in warm colors using turf lily, orange impatiens and barrenwort.
To add a tone on tone look to your landscape, choose a variety of texture and shape for a stunning display.
For full sun, use allium ‘Purple sensation,’ baptisia ‘False indigo’ and butterfly bush ‘Groovy grape.’
If your space is shady, use ajuga, rhododendron and tree peony.
Want a pro to help design an Ultra Violet space for you this upcoming season? Or looking to source some of the plants noted above? I would love to hear from you – drop me a line or feel free to request a quote online too.