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The Gardener’s Corner: Radiant Orchid The Pantone colour for 2014 is ‘Radiant Orchid', a blend of fuchsia, purple and pink that will look spectacular in the home and garden. Anyone who knows me, knows my love for all things lavender. Flowers in this colour range marry well with yellow, olive and deep green. In the home it successfully pairs with turquoise, teal and light yellow. We are going to see a lot of Radiant Orchid this year featured in clothing, accessories, nail polish and home furnishings. In the garden there are already flowers to choose from in this colour tone and many are popular selections already in gardens. Starting in spring we have light and dark purple muscari, hyacinths, and crocuses, often in mass plantings to produce a dreamy drift of colour. These spring bulbs can be purchased in pots to decorate the home too and they bring an early scent of spring to glide through the home. We mustn't forget the purple hues of lilacs which are a fragrant addition to any property, especially when branches are brought indoors to fill a big vase. Purple alliums make a bold statement in beds as they stand like tall sentries over shorter plants and when spent and turned to seed, can be spray painted to extend their usefulness and colour. Agastache (hyssop), nepeta (catmint), peonies, lavender, spiderwort, hollyhocks, clematis and many annuals are good choices to bring some purple into a garden. A few of my favourites are the peony ‘Gay Paree' which has strong fuchsia outer petals with lighter pinkish-purple ones in the centre; a gorgeous David Austin rose called ‘Othello' and ‘Lavender Chiffon', a rose of Sharon shrub. Gerbera daisies are a long time favourite for fresh flowers in a vase and can be found in a shade similar to Radiant Orchid. If purchased from a florist, they may come with a short clear straw to hold the stem upright. I like to keep these and slip them over stems from the grocery store, otherwise they flop in no time but are one flower that lasts well. A new introduction from Proven Winners is the heuchera ‘Blackberry Ice' which collectors will want to add to their shade garden. Green and silver leaves appear to have been painted around the edges and into the centre with pink and I can see this looking quite nice beside any of the green or maroon leaved varieties. Courtesy of Proven Winners, the photo shows the tantalizing ‘Blackberry Ice'. Purple has always been a regal colour with a magical side to it but is known to induce a relaxing feeling. Do you have purple flowers in your garden, and can you see yourself adding some in the new colour called Radiant Orchid? By Judith Rogers |
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Post date: 2014-03-19 15:23:56 Post date GMT: 2014-03-19 19:23:56 Post modified date: 2014-03-26 14:02:42 Post modified date GMT: 2014-03-26 18:02:42 |
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