Trend-Spotting: Color Blasts

The  Northwest Flower and Garden Show gives us a sneak preview of what's going on in gardening...while the show ended today, some of the  trends on display in gardens and booths will be more lasting...

The most obvious trend, and one I hope sticks around, was blasts of brilliant color. Paint, pots, fabric, trim-work, garden furnishings and accessories were brilliantly colored, sometimes to lovely effect and other times in combinations that made my teeth hurt.

There was nothing shy about the cacophony of shades enlivening many of the gardens in bolder and more varied shades than in past years. Colors were used not to compliment flower color, but to compete with it, and the effect was sometimes fresh and fun, other times garish.

Lively color play in Judith Jones' fun board game of a garden:

 

Too many different colors jumbled together, no place for the eye to rest...and the lavender background is just so wrong...

  Gillian Mathews, owner of Ravenna Gardens and master colorist, created this gorgeous blue and green vignette. She used the same palette in her  booth, leading me to believe these watery shades will be popular this spring...

My top pick of trends? The orange, gold, chartreuse and yellow that warmed up so many of the show gardens.  Even in the gloomy, poorly lit Convention Center this rich palette, ideal for our all-too-often chilly and dark climate, was inviting and welcoming.

 

 

Comments

[hydroponics]

Many people really enjoy gardening.In this post, i am sure that they will learn new things that they can apply on their garden.

[Fionagilsenan]

Great examples of color dos and don'ts, Val. Another book?

[valerie Easton]

Hi Fiona,
Hey, you call out a book idea, and I pay attention!! Missed seeing you at the show this year....
Val

[Fionagilsenan]

I didn't make it down this year, so I'm glad to enjoy it through your coverage.

[Bet365 Bingo]

Wow these are really nice colorful place. I like this book idea.I am sure every peoples get enjoy to use this article.