As a landscape designer, whether it’s foliage or flowers, one of my major color decisions is Pantone’s Color of the Year. How can I work into my landscape plan? This year, Pantone has selected a very earthy, subdued, calming color called Mocha Mousse. Mocha is espresso coffee that is combined with chocolate and cream. It’s not a dark brown, but brown that has been mixed with white.

Mocha mousse is satiny. Think of mousse hair foam, a satin pillowcase, or the dessert that melts in your mouth. Nothing chunky about it. Just mmmmm smooth.

In the garden, brown is associated with Autumn and death. Leaves turning brown and falling to the ground. Leaf tips that are parched or diseased. Not even dirt is thought of as brown, but shades of black, greys, orange, and white tones, but not brown. Mocha Mousse is subtle in the background or underneath the main colors.

My number one selection for incorporating Mocha Mousse in the garden is the Nun’s orchid, Phaius tankerville. One of the few plants with truly brown flowers. Nun’s orchids are perfect for an elegant statement in a shade or woodland garden. Other plants that are perfect for use in a Mocha Mousse garden are various coleus, Copperleaf, Cleyera, and Heucheras. Pantone’s color palette includes softer tones of brown, mauve, and warm silver.

Roses that fit the category are floribunda ‘Distant Drums’, hybrid ‘Toffee’, floribunda ‘Koko Loco’, and grandifolia’s ‘Lagerfeld’. ‘Toffee’ and ‘Koko Loco’ roses are available at Lukas Nursery. Heirloom Roses, and High Country roses.

Consider blending the Mocha Mousse with jewel tones, soft pinks, whites, and light blue flowers and accents. It’s an elegant, rich hue and shouldn’t be used with primary or bright, “in your face” colors. Check out Piktochart’s webpage for wonderful color combinations for creating an elegant landscape.