Pantone describes its 2015 color of the year, Marsala, as “a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth.” It’s easy for gardeners to bring this trending shade into the landscape and home interior with hardy perennial, annual, and cut flowers that exhibit varying shades of the dramatic and earthy Marsala hue.
Also known as Peruvian lily, alstromeria is a common filler flower in bouquets and arrangements, but the rich red-brown tones of alstromeria ‘Granada’ add a new level of sophistication to cut flower designs. Pair ‘Granada’ with pale pink blooms for a romantic look, or combine it with blue flowers for a contemporary contrast.
If you’ve only ever grown the familiar white, pink, and purple varieties of this easy annual flower, experiment with the lesser know ‘Chocolate’ cultivar of cosmos. You can plant the seeds directly into the soil after last frost, and some even say the fragrance of the blooms hints at chocolate.More »
Lovers of cactus dahlia types should try the four-foot tall ‘Chat Noir’ variety, which may bear blossom as large as six inches across. The full sun and rich soil growing conditions that dahlias demand are compatible with roses, and wouldn’t a golden variety like ‘Sunny Knockout’ make a stunning combination?More »
The Fritillaria genus contains at least 100 charming spring blooming bulbs, but the checkered guinea hen should be in a class by itself. No more difficult to grow than a tulip, the reddish brown flowers will naturalize in dappled shady gardens. Site the eight-inch plants close to the border’s edge, so the nodding flowers won’t go unnoticed.More »
The pasque flower is a good little stalwart for any rock garden or site with excellent drainage. Although blooming begins and ends in the early spring, attractive seed heads and delicate ferny foliage extend the beauty throughout the growing season. The plants of pasque flower ‘Rubra’ are deer resistant, so you can site these petite plants at the front of your border without concern for the browsing pests.
1. Alstromeria 'Granada'
Also known as Peruvian lily, alstromeria is a common filler flower in bouquets and arrangements, but the rich red-brown tones of alstromeria ‘Granada’ add a new level of sophistication to cut flower designs. Pair ‘Granada’ with pale pink blooms for a romantic look, or combine it with blue flowers for a contemporary contrast.
2. Cosmos 'Chocolate'
If you’ve only ever grown the familiar white, pink, and purple varieties of this easy annual flower, experiment with the lesser know ‘Chocolate’ cultivar of cosmos. You can plant the seeds directly into the soil after last frost, and some even say the fragrance of the blooms hints at chocolate.More »
3. Dahlia 'Chat Noir'
Lovers of cactus dahlia types should try the four-foot tall ‘Chat Noir’ variety, which may bear blossom as large as six inches across. The full sun and rich soil growing conditions that dahlias demand are compatible with roses, and wouldn’t a golden variety like ‘Sunny Knockout’ make a stunning combination?More »
4. Daylily 'Dark Angel'
A 1989 introduction, ‘Dark Angel’ sports a captivating bright green throat that glows against the dusky purple petals. The reblooming trait of this fragrant perennial is an added bonus.More »
5. Fritillaria meleagris
The Fritillaria genus contains at least 100 charming spring blooming bulbs, but the checkered guinea hen should be in a class by itself. No more difficult to grow than a tulip, the reddish brown flowers will naturalize in dappled shady gardens. Site the eight-inch plants close to the border’s edge, so the nodding flowers won’t go unnoticed.More »
6. Iris 'Kent Pride'
There is so much to admire about this bearded iris, from the deep red buds that eventually unfurl to reveal rich cinnamon standards and falls punctuated with a tangerine beard. ‘Kent Pride’ looks as mouth-watering in the landscape as it sounds, and will bloom each spring with little care other than an occasional dividing.More »
7. Pasque Flower 'Rubra'
The pasque flower is a good little stalwart for any rock garden or site with excellent drainage. Although blooming begins and ends in the early spring, attractive seed heads and delicate ferny foliage extend the beauty throughout the growing season. The plants of pasque flower ‘Rubra’ are deer resistant, so you can site these petite plants at the front of your border without concern for the browsing pests.
