Colour of the Year:

Each year we’re told which colour will be the leading trendsetter in that season’s styles. These selections come straight from Pantone, the undisputed expert of colour in design. While previous year’s selections left a little to be desired, this season’s pick of Ultraviolet (18-3838 to be precise) is full of possibility. Each year we’re told which colour will be the leading trendsetter in that season’s styles. These selections come straight from Pantone, the undisputed expert of colour in design. While previous year’s selections left a little to be desired, this season’s pick of Ultraviolet (18-3838 to be precise) is full of possibility. 

Ultraviolet is one of the most complex colours on the spectrum and brings all that nuance to your garden. In a container, it can be downright moody. What can be vibrant and lively under the bright daylight sun, can almost seem to transform to brooding into the evening. 

The beauty of this colour comes down to science. It sits right on the edge of the spectrum of light that our eyes can see. When you look at a rich, ultraviolet flower, your brain is busy giving you the closest estimate of a colour it can’t fully see. While insects, like a bee or butterfly, are getting the full ultraviolet show in their visible colour spectrum, our human eyes get the treat of a colour that is half real and half imagined. 

Ultraviolet in Containers:

Want to use colour science to make your containers special this summer? Here’s how to bring some of this season’s pick to your yard:

Violet and Yellow are opposites of each other, so they provide brilliant contrast. Add a cheerful sunny yellow next to your violet flowers to make your container come to life.
The depth of ultraviolet can make it get lost in the shade. Pairing it with a brighter companion, like a chartreuse foliage, will keep it in the spotlight.

Don’t be afraid of the seasons changing. Your purples will take on a new quality as the sun gets lower in the sky, towards autumn.

Some details to watch for:

You’ll need to scrub away algae every once in a while. Consider emptying your container once or twice a year for cleaning – if you don’t have fish, you’ll have far less algae.

If you still have mosquitoes after installing a pump, consider using a dash of organic larvicide as a safe way to get rid of them before they become irritating biters.

As water evaporates you’ll need to add water. If you’re using tap water let it sit a couple days to let some of the chlorine evaporate before adding it to your container. As beautiful as they are, avoid half whiskey barrels. Toxins from these can leach from the wood into the water, harming your plants and fish. Only use containers that are made with safe materials.

While they are the clear winners of indoor design, our temperate summers are the perfect time to feature them in our yards. Your plants will thank you for the fresh air and sunlight, while you’ll get a striking container.

The best containers are shallow and have lots of drainage. Terra-cotta containers are good options. Go to your local Garden Centre and get choosing from all the delightful succulent varieties. For the best container, choose lots of different shapes and colours to mix with some of your favourites you fall in love with. Pot your succulents in a mix of cactus and a peat moss-based potting mixes. If your container has the room, consider lining the bottom with a layer of pebbles to improve drainage. 

This is a perfect opportunity to give a hip upgrade to an old container that is too ornate or vintage for your annuals. For the crafty and DIY, head to the Antique Mall and dig out something fun, like a bird cage, to make a planter from.

Succulents can be expensive to fill a container with. Here’s a few hints on how to trim costs and have a better looking planter:

Choose a few favourites to bring indoors in the fall. Keep these succulents in their pots when you plant your container so you can easily move them indoors when the seasons change. By nurturing them with lots of light over the winter, these will become impressive specimens over the years.

Alternatively, you can bring your entire container indoors, if you have the space. Spray a few times to get rid of bugs and pests before you bring it inside.Mix your succulents with some less expensive bedding plants in your container. Most of the costly designer annuals will overwhelm your succulents, but classics, like marigolds, zinnias, and portulaca, will be great accents to your container.

Containers are a fun way to explore the latest trends without having to make any long commitments to your designs. They are the best way to take advantage of new styles that you fall in love with and to give a fun new upgrade to your yard and home each year.