Planting Suggestions Muted Colours

februarysgirl · August 2022

So, I've decided I want to change my colour palette next year and I'm looking for some suggestions. I want to go with softer and more muted colours in warm shades (except pink, I hate pink with a passion), annuals and perennials (I don't have enough room for any more shrubs) and some foliage plants (no variegated). My garden is south facing and the two raised beds are east and west facing, filled with Wickes loam based topsoil. I'd especially like cream coloured flowers or very pale yellow but in general, soft, muted and warm (no pink).

I know it's a bit early but I'd like plenty of time to mull things over, too much dithering this year left me with a garden I've not been overly happy with.

TIA

WonkyWomble · August 2022

Wallflower pastel patchwork and chrysanthemum Mary Stoker come to mind... Can't attach links but Google images have examples. Both are doing well in my garden despite the conditions this year, just haven't taken any pictures in yonks.

Plantminded · August 2022

Achilleas come in a range of pastel colours with the flowers mellowing to softer colours as they age. A pale yellow perennial with stature is Phlomis russeliana. If you're also thinking about bulbs, you'll find lots of tulips in pastel colours.

JennyJ · August 2022

Salvia Cool Cream. Most of them are strong colours, but this one is a soft muted off-white sort of cream, neither pink-ish nor yellow-ish.

Some of the hybrid verbascums might fit the bill too - Southern Charm, Pink Petticoats (not pink, more of a mauve-flushed peach), Jackie, Helen Johnson.

edhelka · August 2022

Many possible roses and dahlias for the main stunners.
California poppies - there are varieties in muted colours, I have apricot ones ('Peach sorbet'. There are also cream ones. All easy from seeds.
Cosmos 'Xanthus', an easy annual
White-flowering heucheras for foliage
Grasses
Sedums - I am certain some varieties would fit your criteria, just avoid the too pink ones
Iris 'Strathmore' and more
Helianthus, anthemis, achillea - pick suitable varieties
Daffodils and tulips for spring
Foxgloves - apricot or yellow varieties like 'Apricot beauty'
Daylilies

didyw · August 2022

Pale yellows - Argyranthemum Jamaica Primrose (not fully hardy but cuttings take easily), Coreopsis verticillata Moonbeam. Sisyrinchium striatum.
These would go beautifully with Caryopteris × clandonensis Hint of Gold. I have all in my garden but currently have the Caryopteris in a rather shapely pot and not sure how I will get it out to go in the bed with the pale yellow things (but I do have blue salvias and veronicas there).

B3 · August 2022

Some nemesias come in pastel colours

februarysgirl · August 2022

Thank you for the suggestions, adding them to a Pinterest board 😊

AnniD · August 2022

@edhelka mentioned Californian poppies. I can vouch for this one.
https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item_535h_eschscholzia_californica_thai_silk_series_milkmaid_seeds
Also Hardy's have a quite useful plant finder. You can input colour, position, and soil type to bring out suggestions.
https://www.hardysplants.co.uk/perennials

februarysgirl · August 2022

@AnniD I have those seeds! I didn't get round to using them this year but they're definitely on my to use list. I'm considering pink champagne as well as they don't seem to be pink but rather a pale soft peach.

Will check out Hardy's.

Fire · August 2022

I guess no salvias or roses, if you have no space.

I'm really enjoying linaria Peachy.

Digiplex Illumination Apricot; I'm not sure how well these over-winter; They are supposed to be perennial, but almost worth growing as an annual.

I am slowly getting very into buff/apricot colours. It's odd how these things grow on you.

Planting Suggestions Muted Colours

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