Orchid flower is the Color of the Year for 2022 and I am beyond thrilled. I know the color of the year is mainly geared toward fashion and interior decoration, but WGSN and their color systems company, Coloro, believe this will cross all segments of life. But did they think gardening, too?
WGSN, formerly World Global Style Network, is based out of London, but you’ll notice addresses globally. You definitely see their expertise and analytics is rippling across the United States. Put this orchid flower into your landscape and it will catch the visitor’s eye and thrill beyond expectations.
Color description of orchid flower, is said to be “vibrant rose hue with purple undertones, it is intense and hyper realistic, and stimulating.” Then they say “magenta is a color that conveys the feeling of positivity and escapism.” The positivity description is most certainly appropriate as the color has royalty written all over it.
I looked at the fashion images to see the intensity of color, and plants started to come to mind. New this year in the market is a Lo & Behold Ruby Chip butterfly bush that matches orchid flower to perfection. This coming spring Unplugged Pink salvia makes its debut to the delight of hummingbirds everywhere. It could have easily been used in poster material for the promotion of the ‘Orchid Flower’ color. Oddly mine is still blooming in zone 8a as we head into December.
Both Lo & Behold Ruby Chip and Unplugged Pink salvia are compact in the 3-foot range with a 3-foot spread. I expect them to be slightly larger in the south. While they are both to be treasured, they do have siblings that are larger and may be ideally suited if you have a large garden.
Rockin Fuchsia salvia came out in 2020 and they will always be part of my garden. Sometimes I think Rockin Fuchsia is darker in color than Unplugged Pink and other times almost identical. Rockin Fuchsia salvias have returned for 3 growing seasons in my zone 8a garden and easily reach 4-feet with an equal spread. Both the salvias however are considered perennial in zone 9 and warmer.
By all means put Miss Molly butterfly bush on your list too. This will be like the ‘queen of the court’ for your ‘Orchid Flower’ color planning. It will easily reach 5-feet in height and width and will take your breath away with its beauty. It is non-invasive and approved for sale to Oregon and Washington albeit under the name of summer lilac. Why this is not at every garden center in the country is one of the great mysteries of life.
You will treasure this color in your landscape and if you are wondering what colors to put with it WGSN included a palette suggestion that hit a homerun. The palette includes Olive Oil, Butter, Mango Sorbet and Atlantic Blue. The Garden Guy feels pretty good on his selections not knowing the palette I chose as partners, Heat It Up Yellow gaillardia, Luscious Citron lantana, Rockin Blue Suede Shoes salvia and Pugster Blue buddleia.
Norman Winter is a horticulturist and national garden speaker. He is a former director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. Follow him on Facebook at Norman Winter “The Garden Guy.” See more photos and columns by Norman at SavannahNow.com/lifestyle/home-garden/.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Top color for 2022 comes in many flower choices for the Savannah garden
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