Purple Reigns in British Gardens
· culture
The Purple Surge: A Reflection of Our Times?
As gardeners and designers meander through Britain’s overgrown gardens, a peculiar phenomenon has taken root. Amidst withered grass and faded blooms, vibrant purples have exploded onto the scene. This colour explosion is not just a fleeting trend; it’s been years in the making.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) conducted research at RHS Garden Wisley’s Hilltop, where 11,000 visitors overwhelmingly chose purple flower hues as their preferred shade – a staggering 26.67% of the vote. But what’s behind this sudden fondness for all things purple?
Award-winning garden designer Tom Massey suggests that the shift towards richer, more naturalistic planting is driving this colour surge. “We’ve moved away from large expanses of decking and paving,” he says, “towards a more inspired-by-nature approach.” This aesthetic shift may be linked to recent design trends, which have seen grey hues dominate home and garden aesthetics.
Research has shown that purple – along with blue – evokes feelings of calmness and relaxation in humans. Conversely, yellows and oranges bring joy. Could this be a response to our increasingly stressful lives? Are we seeking solace in the very colours we’ve been taught are soothing?
Plants like salvias, nepetas, alliums, and lavender add visual interest while attracting pollinators and offering a calming quality. Massey notes that “people are becoming much more confident with colour generally,” citing high-profile public landscapes as examples of bold combinations that create beautiful and ecologically rich planting schemes.
The findings of the RHS study have significant implications for garden design. Dr Ashby Sachs, a wellbeing fellow at the RHS, highlights the importance of colour in designing spaces for specific purposes and people: “Colour is a key consideration when it comes to designing spaces for well-being.” The potential applications are vast – from calming hospital gardens to vibrant schoolyards.
As we continue down this path of colour experimentation, what does this say about our society? Are we seeking comfort in familiar, natural hues or pushing boundaries with bold new combinations? The purple reign may be a fleeting fad, but its implications run deeper than mere aesthetics. It speaks to our desire for balance and calmness amidst the chaos.
This trend raises questions about our relationship with colour and nature. Will it continue to flourish, or will it succumb to the whims of fashion? One thing’s certain – as we navigate the complexities of modern life, our gardens are becoming more than just tranquil oases; they’re laboratories for exploring human emotion.
Reader Views
- TSThe Society Desk · editorial
The purple surge in British gardens is more than just a fleeting trend - it's a sign of our times, where people are seeking solace in nature's soothing colours amidst rising stress levels. But let's not overlook the role of nostalgia in this phenomenon: many of these same purple plants have been prized by gardeners for centuries, from old English lavender fields to Mediterranean herb gardens. This revival taps into a deeper longing for connection with our environment and tradition.
- DCDrew C. · cultural critic
The purple surge in British gardens is more than just a fleeting fad - it's a deliberate choice that speaks to our growing desire for authenticity and sensory comfort. As we increasingly prioritize wellbeing, it's not surprising that garden design is shifting towards calmer palettes that invite relaxation. However, the emphasis on naturalistic planting also raises questions about biodiversity: can our pursuit of soothing colours come at the expense of native species and ecosystem health?
- PLProf. Lana D. · social historian
It's telling that the surge in purple popularity coincides with our growing anxiety about climate change and economic instability. One aspect not explored in this article is how this shift towards rich, naturalistic planting might be at odds with sustainability concerns. Many of these vibrantly colored plants require significant resources to maintain – will we trade one environmental cost for another? A more nuanced discussion of the eco-credentials of this new aesthetic is warranted.