“I think Kermit the Frog had it all wrong,” wrote Emer Schlosser in a recent Inside Entertainment. “Not only is it easy “Bein’ Green,” it’s a cinch to look damn fine while doing it,” she notes.
Many of Hollywood’s most fashion conscious are replacing the classic little black dress with green as environmentalism hits the scene.
No longer is green obscene. It’s the new black, suitably decorative draped on the likes of Jennifer Garner, Victoria Beckham or Jennifer Lopez.
Gardeners would go for the glamour if it ended there. Of course it never does. Colour themes are coupled with flowers as the Flower Council of Holland reveals its predictions for 2008. Would you believe a spring with ‘colourful grey’? And livened up by gerberas yet. ‘Powerful persuasive’ roses will do the talking this summer with ‘vibrant colours.’
Autumn, if you can think that far ahead, will be all about ‘folk design’ with lilies to ‘convey the warmth and comfort of the fall season.’ Apparently lilies add ‘a country-like personality.’ Finally, the Flower Council of Holland believes that cymbidium orchids create ‘the feeling of a winter wonderland with its fairytale looks and artistic shape.’
Colour is important to the gardener but to the fashionable florist it appears to become a finality. Gardeners must rely on their sense of taste and timing. Fortunately in this direction florists has the Pantone Color Institute to fall back on.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, gave a preview last year at the Independent Garden Center Show in Chicago of what’s in store. Royal lilac, sassafras, festival fuchsia, cloudburst, cloud dancer, silver birch, ebony, silver and rich gold all indicate a “High Profile” theme, according to La Leatrice.
If you detect a whiff of jet-propelled takeoff price-wise, wait until you experience “ReCollections” with “withered rose, peach beige, Arabian #, jadeite, dry rose, tapestry, pheasant, champagne, beige and pale gold.”
This theme is usually used “to convey a higher price point,” says the colour connoisseur.
There are half-a-dozen other themes but perhaps we best stop at this point, lest we end up looking as if we are competing in a Britney Spears look-alike competition.
