Pantone Colour of the Year 2022: Very Peri

Irises in shades of Very Peri

Written by Camilla Grayley

19 April 2022

“As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted and beloved blue color family, encompassing the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time with its violet red undertone, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions. – Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute”

Campanula persicifolia

Campanula persicifolia

Very Peri is Pantone colour of the year for 2022 is Very Peri, the first time a colour has been created rather than chosen from the existing palette. It is meant to help us think about all the changes we have incurred over the past two years, as we start to explore an altered landscape and possibly rewrite our own narrative. It is a colour that is found across the garden flowering season and pairs well with greens, perfect for adding a hint of this year’s trend to the garden.

In the Garden

Bulbs

Starting in spring with bulbs, from the early flowering crocuses Crocus tommasinianus ‘Barr’s Purple’ or Crocus ‘Ruby Giant’, followed by tulips, Tulipa ‘Violet Beauty’ or the paler shade  of Bleu Aimable. These look stunning mixed in with the dark, almost black Queen of the Night or the delicate lily shaped Havran. Alternatively mix them in with White Triumphator or the pale lemon yellow of Sapporo or if having the mix all in one appeals Tulipa ‘Arabian Beauty’ has Very Peri coloured centred petals with pale yellow around the edges.

Crocuses

Crocuses naturalised through the lawn

Perennials

Towards the end of tulip season the irises start to flower, coming in many shades of purple, some of the closest in colour to Very Peri are Iris sibirica ‘Ruffled Velvet’ which starts flowering in May followed by the later flowering Caesar’s Brother. It is slightly darker than Very Peri but Iris hollandica ‘Purple Sensation’ is still a stunning shade to have in the borders. Moving further into summer I love seeing the sun shine through the translucent bells of Campanula persicifolia or the spires of Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’, a particular favourite of butterflies and bees. Or edge a path with Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ and let it spill over so that it releases it scent every time you brush past.

Path edged by lavender

Path edged by lavender

Climbers

To add height to the garden purple flowering climbers are ideal, from the delicate nodding flowers of Clematis alpina, an early flowering variety. Followed on by Petit Faucon, a later flowering clematis with delicate but more open flowers. For more impact or to view from a distance General Sikorski is another later flowering variety but with large open flowers or a few scented sweetpeas.

Sweetpeas

Sweetpeas

 

Flower Combinations

The Pantone institute have come up with a number of complementary colour palettes to pair Very Peri with but one colour palette in particular sings garden. It combines colours such as Greenbriar and Foliage (mid greens), Treetop (a dark green), Celery (yellow green) and Dewberry (a purple-red). The palette is called ‘Wellspring’, it is designed to promote a sense of harmony and wellbeing and to be surrounded by nature. Purple can be used as an accent colour in a sea of green, something like Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ with purple sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’), a mixture of grey-green and purple leaves and a perhaps a back drop of grasses.

Salvia and Perovskia

Salvia and Perovskia

To add in a few more colours the delicate pink of Echinacea purpurea mixed with Perovskia and the grey-grey architectural leaves of Artemisia work well together. Textures and leaf shape can add as much interest to a border as colour. Or try some complimentary colours such as the apricot flowers of Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ or the umbels of Achillea ‘Terracotta’.

Echinacea and perovskia

Echinacea and perovskia

About the Author

Camilla Grayley is a garden designer based in York, mainly working in and around Yorkshire but has travelled up and down the UK to design gardens and is always happy to travel to help clients with their gardens. I love creating gardens with strong architectural outlines softened by voluminous planting that draws on year round interest, ensuring there is something to capture the eye whatever the season. Gardens should always evoke all the senses from the colour palette on the eye, to the rustling of plants swaying in the wind to the amazing perfumes that can be inhaled, whether on a summer’s evening or the depth of winter.

Services

If you would like to know more working with me please feel free to have a look at my Garden Design and Garden Consultancy Services  or contact me.

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