Pantone’s Color of the Year
The Pantone Color Institute, which is the authority on identifying trendy colors consumers will crave each year, recently announced Cloud Dancer (11-4201) as the Pantone Color of the Year 2026.
Cloud Dancer is described as:
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A billowy white imbued with a feeling of serenity.
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An ethereal white hue, Cloud Dancer serves as a symbol of calming influence in a frenetic society rediscovering the value of measured consideration and quiet reflection.
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Similar to a blank canvas, Cloud Dancer signifies our desire for a fresh start.
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Cloud Dancer quiets the mind, encouraging true relaxation and focus that allows the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.
As it applies to cut flowers
(Image credit: Jane Looker Photography)
Cloud Dancer is a key structural color whose versatility provides scaffolding for the color spectrum, allowing all colors to shine. This is a shade that can adapt, harmonize and create contrast, bringing a feeling of airy lightness to all product applications and environments, whether making a standalone statement or combined with other hues.
Perennials Pantone-mania
Unlike with last year's Pantone’s Color of the Year (Mocha Mousse), there are numerous perennials our industry can showcase to capitalize on this year's selection, Cloud Dancer.
There’s always been a place for whites and white shades in gardens and landscapes. White perennials are often used to create calm, restorative places that give our minds a rest from the sensory overload many of the colorful plants commonly provide.
There are so many options, I honestly don’t know where to begin or end. Click on the company name below each image to learn about the perennial shown.
More Pantone Perennials for 2026
Believe it or not, this is just a sampling of white flowering perennials retailers can tap into when it comes to finding plants to match Cloud Dancer. Expect to see an increase in the amount of whites you see in garden furniture and décor in the upcoming year. Savy retailers will extend the Color of the Year to go far beyond hard goods and capitalize on the extra exposure white will be receiving this year by offering numerous white plants to help consumers match their gardens to their patios.
The New Perennials PGR Guide
Just in time for the upcoming growing season, GrowerTalks just published the 2026-2027 Guide on Growth Regulators for Containerized Herbaceous Perennials. This excellent resource is sponsored by Fine Americas, Inc. and edited by none other than Dr. Garrett Owen of The Ohio State University.
This guide includes an extensive multi-page table summarizing labeled PGR rate recommendations for over 150 containerized perennial crops based on research from numerous universities and other published sources.
Besides the invaluable table, the guide contains lots of great articles covering several topics within the PGR category. Here are the articles contained in this resource.
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Boost Your Roots with Advocate Foliar Sprays for Woody Ornamental Propagation by Olivia J. Liebing & W. Garrett Owen, The Ohio State University
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All in the Timing: Using Collate 2L Substrate Drenches to Control Growth of Herbaceous Perennials by W. Tyler Rich & W. Garrett Owen, The Ohio State University
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Controlling Growth of Heliopsis Cultivars With Concise 10X Sprays & Substrate Drenches by Gaberial Reeves, W. Tyler Rich & W. Garrett Owen, The Ohio State University
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Wide Assortment of Available PGRs by Brian E. Whipker, North Carolina State University; Joyce G. Latimer, Virginia Tech University; and W. Garrett Owen, The Ohio State University
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Collate 2L Drenches for Herbaceous Perennials by W. Garrett Owen, The Ohio State University
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Using Advocate and Advocate Tank Mixes During Perennial Propagation by W. Garrett Owen & W. Tyler Rich, The Ohio State University
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Additional Benefits of PGRs by Brian E. Whipker, North Carolina State University
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Fresco Use Tips by Brian Whipker, North Carolina State University
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Apply Fresco to Recover PGR – Stunted Herbaceous Perennials by Joyce Latimer & Daniel Jackson, Virgina Tech University
Seminarios Virtuales para Empleados Agrícolas de Invernaderos y Viveros
UConn Extension is offering a four-part webinar series for Spanish-speaking workers in the green industry. The series is titled “Virtual Seminars for Agricultural Employees in Greenhouses & Nurseries" and takes place every Friday in February at noon Eastern Time.
This free webinar series is a great opportunity to strengthen skills and expand knowledge in key areas, including:
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Irrigation Management
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Pest and Disease Monitoring and Management
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Occupational Health
Participation is completely free, but registration is required. Even if there was a cost involved, this is a great opportunity to increase the knowledge base of your Spanish-speaking workforce.
Go
HERE for information and registration.
My email is paul@pace49.com if you have any comments, article suggestions or if you'd just like to say hello.
Best regards,
Paul Pilon
Editor-at-Large—Perennial Pulse
National Sales Manager—Pace 49, Inc.
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