If you haven’t heard yet, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for the next 12 months is called ‘Very Peri’.
Each annum, the colour giant determines a new hue that will dominate the décor of homes and gardens around the world. This year, the shade is “a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone [that] blends the faithfulness and consistency of blue with the energy and excitement of red.” The Pantone Colour Institute also says Very Peri’s “courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.” In other words, embrace it in your garden design to give true personality and identity to the landscape.
There is an abundance of plants to choose from that cover the spectrum. Consider placing the on-trend colour around pools and water features or alongside seating and relaxation zones to instill a sense of calm, thoughtfulness and reflection.
Here are our top 10 peri plant picks:
Ground Covers
Damperia diversifolia – An Australian native that produces a mass of deep blue flowers from Spring to early Summer. Perfect for rockeries, hanging baskets, retaining walls and patio pots in sunny areas.
Evolvulus Blue My Mind PBR (Dwarf Morning Glory) – Loves warm weather and blooms stunning deep sky-blue flowers on silvery green foliage all Summer long.
Lobelia Midnight Moon – Witness a profusion of stunning dark violet/blue flowers above lush, bronze, low trailing foliage from Summer to Autumn. Ideal for garden beds, containers, pots, rockeries and hanging baskets in full sun to partial shade.
Patersonia occidentalis (Purple Flag, Native Iris) – A tough but attractive Australian native with beautiful blue to purple flowers in late Spring to early Summer. Works well in both garden beds and courtyard planters.
Scaevola aemula Blue Print (Fan Flower) – Its bushy, green foliage is topped with small lavender-blue fan-shaped flowers that appear during Spring and bloom throughout the warmer months. A great trailing plant that is ideal for hanging baskets or containers, as well as borders and edging retaining walls.
Shrubs
Agapanthus Blue Storm PBR (African Lily, Lily of the Nile) – An abundantly-flowering variety that consistently blooms long-lasting thick blue flower umbels or clusters, up to three weeks earlier and longer than most Agapanthus. Preferred for borders, containers, around trees or to edge pathways.
Lavender Miss Donnington – Grown for its aromatic grey-green foliage and profusion of scented mauve flower spikes in Summer. An eye-catching specimen that looks spectacular when mass planted, as a hedge or border, and patio containers.
Limonium perezii Blue (Statice) – Its clusters of mauve-purple flowers amongst the tough, leathery foliage are often utilised in floral displays and bouquets. It thrives in full to partial sun and makes a terrific border in rockeries or coastal gardens.
Nepeta Blue Moon (Catmint) – Fast-growing, eye-catching and heat tolerant, with a low spreading habit and a long blooming season. Large, dense, lavender flower spikes will delight both you and your feline friend!
Trees
Jacaranda mimosifolia – A popular choice across the globe for its long-lasting lilac-blue, tubular flowers that bloom during Spring and Summer. A fantastic feature tree with soft fern-like foliage, in sunny to partially shaded positions.
Click here to search and view other peri-coloured options in our online plant library.