EVERY THINGS PEACHY

IT IS TIPPED TO BE THE HOTTEST COLOUR FOR THE NEW YEAR HERE'S HOW TO USE IT IN THE GARDEN

- DIARMUID GAVIN

THE colour experts Pantone are very clever. Every year they choose a colour of the year - a bit like a Miss World contest behind closed doors - where all the entrants are from their own stable.

And their newly crowned colour for 2024 is Peach Fuzz. In choosing it, they've encouraged me and multiple fashion, interior and garden designers to consider how to use it. So let's play the game!

The best way to imagine Peach Fuzz is that it occupies the same spectrum as apricot, salmon and coral, a warm blend of blush pink and pastel orange.

In the plant world it can range from the most delicate tints in a rose petal to the rich tones of a coral begonia.

As such, it is at home in a traditional herbaceous border, blending easily with other pastels but will also sing brightly in a hot tropical border and will pair well with silver, purple or green foliage.

Begonia 'Fragrant Falls'

There are many roses to choose from in this colour range. 'Bathsheba' is a short vigorous climbing with large many-petalled blooms in an apricot-pink with a sweet honey smell. This would make a great selection for around a door or climbing an arbour above a bench where you could enjoy its fragrance.

Floribunda rose 'It's A Wonderful Life' won the prestigious Rose of the Year award for 2022 - its winning attributes include vigour, disease resistance and it is very floriferous, producing masses of peachy flowers with a delicate scent.

Begonias are the staples of hanging baskets throughout the land and for good reason as they can produce endless flowers all summer long and will perform in partial shade as well as full sun.