In the interest of encouraging new and interesting trends in horticulture, I want to share some thoughts on simple steps you can take in your landscape to be very up-to-date with your yard’s fashion. These ideas may capture your attention if you seek to exhibit your stylishness and flair to the passing public.
For an infusion of trending color, let’s start with Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta. Recognized globally as a leading source of color expertise, Pantone Color Institute says “Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.” Consider punctuating your home landscape with this color found in the flowers of Florida Anise shrub, Illicium ‘Miss Scarlet’ or ‘Aztec Fire’. Other shrubs suited to southeastern North Carolina with magenta blooms include Grateful Red Hydrangea, October Magic Ruby Camellia, and LightShow Bottlebrush. A special sweetshrub hybrid introduced by North Carolina State University is the Calycanthus Aphrodite, with some attributes of a native.
Some magenta-colored perennial choices may include Raspberry Coneflower. A native hybrid, it may not be as useful to wildlife as the straight native species, but the flowers are still known to be attractive to bees and butterflies. Ember’s Wish Salvia is great summer color in the vein of Viva Magenta and it typically hardy as a perennial in our zone for all but the most extreme of cold winters. A colorful plant best used as a