#ProPlantTips, Gardening Questions, Landscape and Garden Design

The Colors of the Year Used in all Things Gardening

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

You constantly hear the cliche color trend exclamation of ‘blue is the new pink’ or ‘black is the in color’ but does anyone truly fact check it? We simply just take the word and start investing in that specific color off a mere whim. How flamboyant!

Well we’re here to set all the records straight for 2021, provide you with the REAL colors of the year and professionally guide your landscape to keep up with the times.

The Pantone colors of the year. That opening statement should send shivers down your spine. In December, Pantone color institute graciously announced that 2021 will be revolving around 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and 13-0647 Illuminating.

It was expressed that these “two independent colors come together to create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day.”

We simply think they are prime, no..exceptional colors to showcase in a garden or landscape!

Ultimate Gray Plant Foliage

Silver Heart Brunnera

There is no other plant than our Silver Heart that administers ‘Ultimate Gray’ better. This silver foliaged specimen shows off its broad leaves while providing a petite accent to any landscape!

Even find the joy in admiring the several new butterflies and other pollinators that will pay a quick visit here and there while your Silver Heart nestles itself at the base of a garden sculpture.

Or place it in a prettied pot as a charming gift for a loved one! The look on their face will be delighted. Then proceed to tell them they are now proud owners of a color of the year plant.

It’s a sure conversation starter!

Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard

Don’t be fooled by this particularly popular bluebeard! Its classic blue foliage carries a strong hint of silver to its leaves. Making it yet another candidate for the best ultimate gray colored plant.

It carries a professional looking rounded shape that astonishes even us! During the winter, it will dive into hibernation so we suggest it be cut back to the ground.

But no worries, the new wood on which flowers will grow is worth the cold season wait. In fact, this plant sends a message of strength by flowering bigger and better than ever each year.

Elijah Blue Fescue Grass

If you’re hunting for an exquisite ornamental grass to use as a border, ground cover or a simple accent to the landscape, then look no further!

The Elijah Blue Fescue Grass embraces its blue grey foliage in all aspects. Not to mention its porcupine shape enhances this color of the year plant with unique visual interest.

Be sure to plant it where it can soak in full sun or take a break in partial shade. It even is drought tolerant so the hassle of constant watering goes right out the door!

Cauticola Sedum

For an ideal edging or rock garden border, the Cauticola Sedum gets the job done while looking snazzy when doing it! This short and compact specimen prides itself on powdery blue and ultimate gray leaves.

To exceed expectations more, this sedum’s foliage is contrasted with purple undersides and stems. Talk about a showstopper in the garden!

Your neighbors will without a doubt be admiring the 2021 color of the year present in your landscape.

Illuminating Colored Plants (Yellow)

Easy Elegance Yellow Submarine Rose

One bloom after another, the Yellow Submarine Rose perfectly showcases the second 2021 color of the year. Use it to attract butterflies, create a sunny centerpiece bouquet, plant it in an admirable pot, or accent your outdoor landscape.

The possibilities are endless! The best part yet..this Illuminating rose is easy to care for and grows double the amount of blossoms.

You’ll find joy in the lemon colored petals slowly transforming to a soft pale yellow and finally into an ivory white flower head.

Double Flowering Japanese Kerria

The bright yellow blossoms upon this Kerria beg for attention in the garden. And we can see why! The showy double flowers bloom in early spring and never rest.

Plant this fast growing shrub in an area you can view, then grab your popcorn because it performs four seasons of interest.

Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan

Do you want to grow an award-winning selection of a native plant that also just so happens to carry the 2021 color of the year? We do!

The Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan blooms for months in its cheery golden color and pleasant form. It's dark centers display the perfect amount of contrast to the petals being grown.

Never worry about a shortage of pollinators or an extreme need for care either! It goes well in mass plantings, outdoor containers, and even as a single cut flower.

Stella de Oro Daylily

Grow a compact Daylily for incredible ruffled yellow flowers in the garden or container. And oh, did we mention that those flowers are sweetly fragrant? Well they are!

This former perennial of the year is more than capable of proudly carrying the Illuminating color with it all through the spring season year after year.

Ready to start the new year off right?

Pair them up, mix and match, or simply dive into one. But the year for 2021 is ready for Ultimate Gray and Illuminating to come full force. Be a part of it!

Then, you can officially say that Ultimate Gray and Illuminating ARE the new pink.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I build a garden color scheme around this year's Color of the Year from foundation plants to finishing touches?

Pantone's 2021 Colors of the Year, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating yellow, give you a natural starting point for a cohesive garden palette. Anchor your beds with silver-foliaged foundation plants like Silver Heart Brunnera or Elijah Blue Fescue Grass along borders, then layer in Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard as a mid-level rounded shrub, cutting it back to the ground each winter to encourage stronger flowering on new wood the following season. Finish the scheme by introducing warm yellow blooms or golden-toned annuals as accent plants to bring in that Illuminating counterpart and complete the Pantone pairing. Start with the gray and silver foliage plants as your backbone, then shop naturehills.com to find the right Illuminating yellow companions suited to your hardiness zone.

Which flowering plants best capture this year's Color of the Year for beds, borders, and containers?

For 2021's Pantone Colors of the Year, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow, the Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard stands out as a top choice, offering classic blue foliage with silver undertones that perfectly captures the gray palette while delivering bold blooms on new wood each season. For containers and accent plantings, Silver Heart Brunnera delivers stunning silver-gray foliage that pairs beautifully with yellow-flowering companions to achieve the full Pantone pairing. Cut Bluebeard back to the ground each winter to encourage its strongest flowering display the following season, and tuck Silver Heart Brunnera into a decorative pot alongside a bright yellow annual for a striking, on-trend container combination.

Can Color of the Year plants thrive in full sun, part shade, or shade, and how do I choose the right match for my yard?

Each Color of the Year plant has its own light preference, so matching it to your yard conditions is key to success. Silver Heart Brunnera thrives in part shade to full shade, making it ideal for spots under trees or along north-facing borders. Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard and Elijah Blue Fescue Grass both prefer full sun and perform best with at least six hours of direct light daily. Assess your yard's sun exposure throughout the day before purchasing, and visit naturehills.com to review each plant's individual light requirements and find the best fit for your specific conditions.

What soil preparation do Color of the Year inspired plantings need to look their best season after season?

While the article focuses on plant selection rather than soil preparation, here is what these specific plants generally require to thrive. Silver Heart Brunnera prefers consistently moist, humus-rich soil with good drainage, Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard demands well-drained, even lean soil to perform its best, and Elijah Blue Fescue thrives in sandy or loamy soil with excellent drainage and low fertility. For all three, amend your planting beds with a 2 to 3 inch layer of compost worked 12 inches deep before planting in spring or early fall. Test your soil pH and aim for a slightly acidic to neutral range of 6.0 to 7.0 to give these Color of the Year plants the foundation they need to deliver season after season.

How often should I water plants chosen to carry a Color of the Year palette through the growing season?

Watering needs vary by plant, but as a general rule, most Color of the Year selections like Silver Heart Brunnera, Elijah Blue Fescue, and Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard prefer about 1 inch of water per week during the active growing season, whether from rainfall or supplemental irrigation. Fescue grasses are notably drought tolerant once established and may need less frequent watering in cooler climates or zones 4 through 8, while Brunnera appreciates consistently moist soil, especially in warmer regions. Always water deeply at the base of the plant rather than overhead to reduce disease pressure and encourage strong root development. Check soil moisture a few inches below the surface before watering, and adjust your schedule during heat waves or periods of low rainfall to keep these plants looking their best.

When and how should I plant annuals to get the strongest Color of the Year impact from spring through fall?

For the strongest Pantone Color of the Year impact across the full growing season, start annuals indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50 degrees F. Choose annuals in Ultimate Gray and Illuminating yellow tones and layer them alongside perennial anchors like Elijah Blue Fescue or Silver Heart Brunnera, which provide season-long color without replanting. Deadhead spent blooms weekly and refresh with a second round of annuals in midsummer to maintain vibrancy through fall frost. Visit naturehills.com to browse color-coordinated plant combinations that bring the 2021 Pantone palette to life in your landscape.

Which perennials work best for a Color of the Year planting design and will reliably return each year?

For a Color of the Year planting design built around Pantone's 2021 pairing of Ultimate Gray and Illuminating yellow, Silver Heart Brunnera and Elijah Blue Fescue Grass are two reliable perennials that will return faithfully each season. Silver Heart Brunnera thrives in shaded borders and works beautifully at the base of garden sculptures or in containers, while Elijah Blue Fescue delivers a striking blue-gray tone as a border plant, ground cover, or landscape accent. Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard rounds out the palette with silver-tinted blue foliage and should be cut back to the ground each winter, as it blooms on new wood and actually flowers more impressively with each passing year. Start with Silver Heart Brunnera in your shadier spots, pair Elijah Blue Fescue along borders for texture, and let Bluebeard serve as your season-long focal point for a cohesive, trend-forward planting design.

How do I blend Color of the Year plants with the existing colors of my house, fence, and hardscape for a cohesive look?

When blending Ultimate Gray and Illuminating plants with your existing structures, look for the undertones already present in your hardscape and exterior paint, then echo them with your plant selections. Silver Heart Brunnera and Elijah Blue Fescue Grass both carry cool blue-gray tones that complement natural stone, weathered wood fences, and gray or white siding beautifully, while the warm yellow of Illuminating-toned plants bridges the gap against brick or tan stucco. Start by placing a single anchor plant like the Arthur J. Simmonds Bluebeard near your entryway or fence line, then repeat that color in smaller accent plants like the Fescue along pathways or borders to create a natural flow. Visit naturehills.com to browse the full Color of the Year plant collection and use your existing exterior photos as a guide when selecting your palette.

How can I keep a Color of the Year garden looking polished and full through every season without starting over each year?

Rely on tough, returning perennials and ornamental grasses like Elijah Blue Fescue and Silver Heart Brunnera, which come back stronger each season without replanting. Bluebeard varieties like Arthur J. Simmonds should be cut back to the ground each winter, as they bloom on new wood and will flower more vigorously the following year. Layer these plants by height and texture so that as one fades, another carries the visual interest forward. Plan your plant combinations in fall so you can place orders early and have everything ready for a spring installation.

Which container plants are best for bringing the Color of the Year into pots, planters, and patio displays?

Silver Heart Brunnera is an excellent choice for container displays, as its broad silver foliage directly reflects the 2021 Pantone Color of the Year, Ultimate Gray, and it works beautifully as a potted accent or a thoughtful gift plant. Elijah Blue Fescue Grass also thrives in containers, bringing its distinctive blue-grey foliage and porcupine-like form to patio displays as a striking focal point or border accent. Pair either of these with a bold pot in a complementary tone to fully capture the Pantone pairing of Ultimate Gray and Illuminating yellow for a on-trend patio display this season.