Greenery; The Color of the Year

Greenery; An often-used word when discussing gardens or landscape or nature. This year it’s the name given to Pantone 15-0343, and chosen as the Color of The Year.  In a call for “rejuvenation and connection”, The Pantone Institute names a color for 2017 that every gardener already  knows and loves; that soul-quenching bright green of new growth.

 

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is already vigorously illustrating this fresh green color in my garden. A gentle “weed” from Europe and an easy winter annual in winter-wet climates. I add it to soup all winter long.(Joy Albright-Souza)

 

“Greenery is nature’s neutral.”  It answers our “innate craving to immerse (ourselves) in the physical beauty and inherent unity of the natural world,” says the press release for Pantone.  -Of course, that’s what most gardens are for.

 

The fresh new growth of boxwood exhibits that bright yellow-green color, in hopeful contrast to the darker mature foliage beneath. A great structural addition to any garden.(Joy Albright-Souza)

 

“Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals …to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.” That’s how Pantone describes the color they feel reflects “a snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture”.

 

In my garden the daffodils are just around the corner..along with tender spring grass, this combo always feels like such a symbol of hope and renewal. (image Per-Joy)

 

Pantone’s Leatrice Eiseman says; “Greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew. … Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings.”

 

The bright green of  lettuce is visually refreshing as well as tasty. It’s nice to remember that it can be a winter crop in many mild areas as well. This batch of greens sits protected from deer and rabbits, inside its custom-made garden structure featured here; an Edible Garden (per-joy)

 

She continues; “Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous ….environment. “

 

Eucomis, also known an Pineapple Lily, is a tender species that won’t be blooming in my garden until summer. But this green grasshopper trying to blend in really drives home the appeal of this hopeful color. (image Joy Albright-Souza)

 

“Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalize, Greenery symbolizes the re-connection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.” – Yep….I bet we could all use some of  that.

 

Image courtesy of the Pantone Institute.