“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.” —Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of The Pantone Color Institute.
Ah, imagine being able to offer your clients and customers flower selections that include both 2021 Colors of the Year! The illuminating color yellow, as seen in the Kelvin Floodlight Giant Dinnerplate Dahlia, is readily available in a variety of flowers.
The sensational beauty of the Nova Lux Gladiolus is another example of an illuminating yellow. It provides height and texture to any style bouquet. Now, just imagine the incredible effect that would be created if we paired these flowers with silver-gray foliage! The intermediate color gray, on the other hand, is much lower in availability as a bloom choice. This makes combining the Colors of the Year a challenge for us flower farmers. When growing flowers to achieve a gray color, we must be creative and search for different tones of gray.
Let’s consider hostas as a source of the gray color we’re seeking in the new year. Their leaves can offer a stunning contrast to yellow blooms when tucked around the edge of a bouquet or other floral arrangement.
But don’t limit yourself to hostas. Keep searching for the sought-after intermediate color among foliage and blooms that might suggest another hue but include hints of gray!
With the new year upon us and wedding season just around the corner, flower farmers must anticipate what brides will be asking for—and that, my flower-farming friend, will be the new combination colors of 2021!
Together, these two colors will offer elegant and breathtaking displays—and they can easily be accompanied by other colors without a loud visual clash!
It’s the season of deep preparation. The frost may be covering the beds, but a flower farmer’s mind is already turning that soil. Be sure to journal all your plans for the new season—and make a note to grow not one, but two of the new year’s colors!
From our farm here in Kentucky to yours, Happy Gardening!
– Pamela Anthony