Beige flowers? Let’s talk about the Dulux Colour of the Year

Dulux has just announced its Colour of the Year for 2023 – and it’s a sharp turn away from the colourful choices of previous years! Next year’s shade is Wild Wonder™, which Dulux describes as ‘a positive, glowing tone, inspired by the natural world’.

But what’s so natural about beige? When you think of the natural world, I’m sure many colours come to mind – the green shades of various foliage, sky blue, sunny yellow to represent the pistils of many flowering plants – but probably not beige.

If you think a little harder, there are of course elements of nature which display a beige tone: sand, certain types of stone, fallen leaves, barley, eggshells, mushrooms, the coats of some animals. However, when it comes to flowers, it might be a little more difficult to name some off the top of your head (although I’m sure some of you Plant Geeks are fully capable)! 

Each year, I talk about how trend predictions in the world of colour can translate into a theme for your garden, or an area of it. In 2023, beige is going to be big, so I’ve put together a list of beige flowers that you could plant in your patch next year!

 

Hybrid tea roses

Rose ‘Buff Beauty’ is aptly named – that nude shade really makes it look like it’s in the buff! But colour aside, it’s a good garden performer, flowering from May to October, and gives off a delightfully delicate fragrance.

 

Chrysanthemums 

Mums come in all sorts of colours! But the best beige varieties include ‘Mocha’, ‘Misty Cream’ and ‘Squires Lock’. Different varieties of chrysanthemums have different requirements, so if you’re new to growing this plant, make sure to research your varieties to find out which is best for your garden.

 

Kalanchoe 

Kalanchoe are wonderfully versatile plants that can be planted outdoors in summer, or kept inside as a lovely houseplant. They’re incredibly easy to care for, and they can fill your home and/or garden with colour for 100 days!

 

Coleus

You might be more familiar with the vivid magenta and green varieties of coleus that are oh-so-popular in garden centres – however, you can also find these fantastic beige and green variegations that can be ideal for adding to your beige bedding display, or for breaking up colour.

 

Celosia

Blooming from late spring to late summer, celosia (also known as Cock’s Comb) are best grown in a warm, sheltered spot in full sun. Try Kosmo Yellow celosia for a beige-yellow addition to your yard.

 

Phlox ‘Creme Brulee’

A combination of truly unusual colours and patterns, Phlox ‘Creme Brulee’ will always catch you off guard with its blooms! Feed and water phlox frequently throughout the summer for eye catching bedding and container displays, and a fantastic scent. They even make create cut flowers.

 

Iris

Irises are available in all sorts of calming shades, from baby blue to soft pink. However, the variety ‘Festive Skirt’ features beautiful neutral tones that bring a sense of tranquillity to an outdoor space. It’s great for full sun or partial shade, and can make an impact in a vase display.

With so many beige flowers available, Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2023 might make you rethink how you use colour in your garden!

Which beige flowers would you choose? Let me know in the comments section below.