PLANT PAIRINGS FOR THE 2026 COLORS OF THE YEAR
Color trends do not stay confined to the indoors. For 2026, several major brands have announced their colors of the year, and Terra Nova nurseries in Canby, Oregon, has paired each selection with complementary plants, creating curated palettes sure to transform any garden into a vibrant retreat.
Perhaps the most anticipated is Pantone’s 2026 pick, Pantone 11-4201, Cloud Dancer. It embraces an understated elegance, as the airy white reflects a broader desire for simplicity and visual quiet. Terra Nova answers with twenty varieties that mirror the hue through delicate blooms, subtle variegation, and pale-cast textures.
“Cloud Dancer’s calming character naturally aligns with Terra Nova’s 2026 companion plant selections,” says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development at Terra Nova Nurseries.
Among them are ajuga Nova ‘White,’ dicentra ‘Amore Titanium’, echinacea ‘Fragrant Angel’, leucanthemum ‘Mt. Hood,’ penstemon Nova ‘Pearl’, and thalictrum Nimbus ‘White’. The collection layers bright whites, soft ivories, and luminous accents suited for containers, borders, and larger plantings.
Beyond Pantone, Terra Nova also developed pairings for three major North American paint brands’ picks: Dutch Boy’s Melodious Ivory, Valspar’s Warm Eucalyptus, and Glidden’s Warm Mahogany.
Melodious Ivory, a gentle neutral with beige undertones, is reflected in varieties such as Echinacea ‘Fried Egg’, Acanthus ‘Whitewater’, Agastache Poquito ‘Butter Yellow’, and Sedum ‘Peach Pearls’, all of which enhance its inviting charm.
Valspar’s Warm Eucalyptus, a muted green, finds harmony in texture-driven choices including brunnera ‘Alexandria’, pulmonaria ‘High Contrast’, athyrium ‘Pewter Lace’, and heuchera varieties such as ‘Green Spice’ and Little Cuties ‘Shimmer’. Its silvered and patterned leaves accentuate the color’s earthy, grounded presence.
Glidden’s Warm Mahogany, a deep red-brown, is amplified through richly colored selections like heucherella ‘Redstone Falls’, heuchera ‘Fire Alarm’ and Northern Exposure ‘Red’, begonia T Rex ‘Stardust’, and heucherella ‘Solar Eclipse,’ each bringing saturated depth to garden compositions.
“Plants and colors share the ability to shape the way spaces feel,” Pavlich says. Terra Nova demonstrates how thoughtfully assembled living elements matched with any color scheme can make outdoor landscapes feel connected, balanced, and inviting.
ROC HOME & GARDEN SHOW RETURNS TO ROCHESTER
The ROC Home & Garden Show & Sale returns March 21–22, 2026, at the Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center in downtown Rochester. Produced by the Rochester Home Builders’ Association (RHBA), the annual event brings together homeowners, gardeners, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone looking for fresh ideas for their surroundings.
With more than 200 exhibitors, the show features specialists in remodeling, landscaping, roofing, solar energy, cabinetry, outdoor living, and more. Attendees can explore new products, compare services, and speak directly with local experts about projects ranging from simple updates to full renovations. Live demonstrations and on-site consultations offer practical insight and inspiration.
Whether you’re planning a backyard overhaul, researching sustainable upgrades, or simply curious about emerging design trends, the ROC Home & Garden Show provides a welcoming setting to gather ideas, make connections, and envision what’s possible for the spaces you call home. rochomeandgardenshow.com
GNOME ROAM AT CUMMING NATURE CENTER
The Gnome Roam at RMSC Cumming Nature Center transforms a stretch of the Helen Gordon Trail into a playful winter quest. From mid-December through March 31, visitors follow a roughly quarter-mile path through the woods, discovering cleverly placed gnome displays tucked among trees, bridges, and boggy overlooks. Stops along the route include spots such as Belcher’s Bog, Troll Bridge, and Eagle Nest, each adding a bit of storybook wonder to the snowy landscape.
Designed as a self-guided experience, the trail is accessible for a casual winter walk and is included with general admission. A map is available at the Nature Center front desk to help guests navigate the route and locate each hidden scene. The seasonal event offers a lighthearted way to explore the outdoors during the colder months while enjoying the quiet tranquility of the Bristol Hills. rmsc.org/exhibits/gnome-roam
NATIONAL GARDEN BUREAU ANNOUNCES 2026 ‘YEAR OF THE’ PLANTS
The National Garden Bureau (NGB) has unveiled its picks for the 2026 “Year of the” program, showcasing six plants that promise to contribute color, dimension, and ambiance to gardens and homes across North America. From early spring bulbs to vibrant perennials, these selections are as eclectic as they are unique—perfect for bringing distinctive natural beauty both indoors and out.
Year of the Crocus—Bulb
Crocus are tiny heralds of spring, often bursting through late-winter snow in cheerful shades of white, yellow, and purple—some even featuring striped or feathered patterning. A delicate waxy coating shields their slender blades and petals from frost, allowing them to appear while much of the garden still rests. Their early arrival offers a much-needed food source for awakening insects, and over time these small florets multiply into colorful carpets that feel like a secret celebration of warmer days ahead.
Year of the Impatiens—Annual
Impatiens bring simple appeal to tucked-away corners, filling low-light areas with saturated reds, pinks, oranges, and purples. Traditional varieties favor shelter from direct sun, while New Guinea types do well in brighter spots with surprising stamina. Their velvety blossoms and signature “touch-me-not” seed pods—which pop open at the slightest tap—add whimsy, personality, and dynamism to beds and containers, reminding gardeners why impatiens have been beloved for generations.
Year of the Hot Pepper — Edible
Hot peppers ignite both garden beds and kitchen counters with lively energy. Their pods—from milder jalapeños with a bit of bite, to fiery habaneros, and beyond—shine in bold, warm color schemes, each one signaling a different degree of heat. Some are elongated and tapered, others squat or twisted, creating a visual array of shapes and sizes. Beyond their vibrant aesthetic, hot peppers offer endless culinary flair—from fresh salsas and roasted sides to pickled snacks—adding zest and panache to any plate.
Year of the Ficus — Houseplant
Ficus make a striking impression indoors—their lustrous, sculptural leaves and dramatic forms commanding notice. From fiddle-leaf figs to sophisticated rubber plants, each variety brings a sense of refinement and vertical interest, transforming overlooked corners into verdant sanctuaries. Adaptable and forgiving, these plants flourish in indirect light with steady moisture, offering both refreshing greenery and natural air-purifying benefits that elevate interiors with ease.
Year of the Sedum—Perennial
Sedum, or stonecrop, are succulent gems that thrive in sundrenched locations, bringing effortless refinement to rock gardens, borders, or container displays. Their fleshy, water-holding foliage forms a textured base for small late-season accents, which offer rich autumnal hues as surrounding plants fade. Low-maintenance and highly drought-resistant, these perennials reward gardeners with enduring interest and subtle brilliance, creating serene green pockets that require minimal care.
Year of the Azalea — Flowering Shrub
Azaleas turn springtime gardens into vivid tapestries, spanning soft pastels to deep crimsons and coral-like oranges. Both deciduous and evergreen types provide layered structure, while their profuse blooms create depth and movement in shaded beds or woodland borders. Their fragrant flowers offer a sensory delight, making these shrubs a cherished favorite for gardeners seeking lasting seasonal impact in both formal or naturalistic landscapes.
These six “Year of the” plants spark inspiration for indoor and outdoor arrangements offering adaptability, versatility, and character wherever they are introduced. Each selection transforms ordinary living spaces into captivating showcases of growth and seasonal cadence. With mindful placement, every area invites discovery and quiet enjoyment throughout the year. ngb.org/2026-year-of-plants
Elise Williams is a Rochester-based writer who always takes time to stop and smell the roses—and of course, the lilacs.
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.
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