If you’re obsessed with interiors, it’s likely you’ll already be au fait with the 2025 paint colors of the year, recently announced by leading US paint brands including Sherwin-Williams and Behr. Colors range from rich, earthy red tones to serene shades of sage and beige.
You might be just as eager to keep up with the latest color trends in your outside space, so what better way to complement these shades than with matching plants? Plant breeder Terra Nova Nurseries, based in Canby, OR, has curated a list of flowering plants and shrubs tipped to be in demand next year thanks to their on-trend hues.
It has selected plant pairings to match with Behr’s Rumors; HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ Quietude; Minwax’s Violet; and Valspar’s Encore. So, if you’re looking for ways of harmonizing your garden with the hottest new shades, here's how to pair plants with on-trend paint colors in 2025.
How to pair plants with on-trend paint colors
These plants were chosen for their flower shades, foliage hues, subtle accents within leaf textures, and overall tonal harmony with the selected paint color trends.
‘The 2025 colors of the year present a diverse spectrum of hues that are both adaptable and expressive,’ says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development at Terra Nova Nurseries.
‘Our curated plant list not only aligns with these trending shades but also serves as a source of creative inspiration for gardeners and landscapers looking to incorporate stylish colors into their garden and landscape aesthetics for the upcoming year.’
Plants to pair with Behr’s Rumors
Rumors is a rich, ruby red that offers a modern yet warm interpretation of a timeless classic. H&G’s Paint & Color Editor, Emily Moorman, says this is a sophisticated shade, which ‘coincides with the general appeal we've seen in the design world for decorating with red, thanks to the unexpected red theory.’
The standout plant to reflect the deep-red undertones of Rumors is undoubtedly heuchera, also known as coral bells. The rich, velvet-like foliage of heuchera plants matches the warm feel of this deep red tone.
In particular, the Terra Nova experts cite heuchera varieties such as ‘Berry Marmalade’, ‘Northern Exposure’™, and ‘Fire Alarm’, as well as Heucherella ‘Peach Tea’.
Heucherella ‘Redstone Falls’ is also singled out for its ruby-splashed, butterfly-like foliage, which complements the richness of the Rumors palette.
If you want to try growing heuchera, choose a shaded spot as these perennials will thrive in darker corners of your yard. They don't enjoy being waterlogged, so plant them in containers or ensure good drainage by adding some grit or vermiculite, available from Amazon, and well rotted manure or compost to your soil. They are hardy to USDA zone 4.
For more rich, earthy tones, try:
Coreopsis ‘Ruby Frost’
Sedum ‘Dark Magic’
Coreopsis ‘Bengal Tiger’
Plants to pair with HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ Quietude
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ Quietude shade is a softened sage green, that evokes feelings of calmness and serenity. The brand describes it as a 'cool sage green with a slight blue undertone'.
It’s an elegant and relaxing shade, and lends itself effortlessly to calming plants, which could be handy if you’re interested in mindful gardening and the best plants for mental health.
Terra Nova has identified two varieties of Pulmonaria (also known as lungwort) - ‘Silver Scimitar’ and ‘Raspberry Frost’ - which beautifully manifest the tranquil effect of this shade with their soft, green foliage.
Like heuchera, pulmonaria is another plant that adores being in the shade. It is also bee friendly, and likes moist, well draining soil. It will grow best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.
For more cool, soothing undertones, try:
Brunnera ‘Jack Frost
Centaurea ‘Snowy Owl’
Sedum ‘Marina'
Plants to pair with Minmax’s Violet
Violet from Minwax delivers a unique shade of purple that strikes a balance between bold and modern, and classic elegance. Its jewel-toned hues are quite playful, and as Emily Moorman says it is 'designed to bring joy to the home'.
If decorating with purple is for you in 2025, this shade and feel is wonderfully reflected in Terra Nova’s Nepeta ‘Blue Dragon’.
Nepeta, also known as catmint, is simple to grow and a beautifully fragrant cottage garden perennial. Pollinators love it, and it will delight with elegant violet flowers for much of spring and summer. It is drought tolerant, and prefers a rockier soil to heavy clay. It will thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.
For more bold, elegant hues, try:
Plectranthus ‘Velvet Elvis’
Thalictrum ‘Black Stockings’
Plants to pair with Valspar’s Encore
Valspar’s color of the year is Encore - a rich, luxurious shade of deep blue that is distinctive and bold, yet versatile.
There are not very many true blue flowers, but when it comes to knowing how to pair plants with on-trend paint colors, these ones emulate the luxury and sophistication found in the Encore shade.
Corydalis ‘Blue Heron’ is a perfect example - a plant with showstopping, opulent color and a playful undertone. Another great-value perennial that will grow well in part-shade, corydalis will benefit from a slow-release fertilizer, such as the organic Plant Magic fertilizer from Amazon, applied in spring to prolong the flowering period. Hardy in zones 5-9
Also try for timeless, bold color:
Pulmonaria Nova® ‘Cobalt’
Lithodora ‘Gold ‘n Sapphires’
If you're interested in even more planting and garden trends, we've got the low down on outdated front yard trends, and what's replacing them for 2025. You might also want to check out the latest winter garden trends - to bring your backyard up to date even in the colder seasons.
