The Outlook is Peachy!
Image: Roses UK
At the end of December 2023 the Pantone Color Institute™ announced that the ‘Colour of the Year 2024’ would be 'Peach Fuzz’. Pantone forecasts global colour trends, advising companies on the use of colour in brand identity and product development, particularly home dec and fashion. Although not specifically chosen with gardens in mind, 'Peach Fuzz' is a pleasing pale peach hue that will interpret well in planting plans. I predict we’ll be seeing variations on 'Peach Fuzz' from all kinds of online plant suppliers.
Coincidently, shades of peach have proved popular for several Rose of the Year winners. 'Joie de Vivre’ (Rose of the Year 2011) and 'Sweet Honey' (Rose of the Year 2019) both produce plentiful pale peach blooms, offset by healthy, glossy foliage. These repeat flowering floribundas work well in borders or large containers.
Joie de Vivre’
Sweet Honey
The repeat flowering climber ‘Peach Melba’ (Rose of the Year 2023) is a little different. Its petals are a blend of peach and pink hues with a delightful fruity scent.
Peach Melba
All of the above are bred by Kordes Rosen, they are renown for breeding roses with excellent disease resistance.
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ bred by Dickson Roses scooped the Rose of the Year award in 2022. At different times during the flowering seasons its gorgeous blooms will vary in colour from an apricot-peach blend through to a warm peach-pink. Whatever the hue, the blooms are scented and delightful! This is another health variety that will do well in a border or large container.
Its A Wonderful Life
Roses look even lovelier with complementary companion planting. To prevent these ‘Peach Fuzz’ tones looking a little bland, I’d recommend some contrast. Nepeta ‘Walkers Low’ or a blue Hardy Geranium of your choice. Alchemilla Mollis with its lime-green frothy flowers would give a refreshing zing. Or maybe something a little hotter, such as this pink Penstemon and ’Sweet Honey’? This proved a popular combination on the Roses UK stand at the Hampton Court Flower Show.
All of the above rose varieties are available from independent rose nurseries or garden centres as bare-root or potted plants.
Marilyn Stevens from Roses UK