What’s the latest Scandinavian design craze delivering bright, jaunty colors to homes across America? Danish Pastels are the newest trend to come from our Northern European friends, who always seem to create must-have décor that warms and inspires.
What exactly is the Danish Pastel aesthetic? It’s an evolving design trend that leans all in on sunny and cheery colors in both furniture and accessories. These colors are made even more joyful with the stark backdrop of a white room. Lime greens and peony pinks against a snow-white wall? You can’t help but feel a mood boost. We are opening our doors to Danish Pastels and saying, “Come on out to the garden!”
How can you craft this latest design movement in your landscape? We’ve pulled together a few Southern Living Plant Collection varieties that’ll have your outdoors looking and feeling the Danish Pastels vibe.
Ever Twilight™ and ‘Neverland’ Agapanthus
Recreate a fun décor element of the Danish Pastel aesthetic—brightly colored pompoms—with the heavenly orbs atop agapanthus. Ever Twilight™, winner at the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show, blooms early and often with large violet and white bicolor blooms. Pair it with lilac-flowered ‘Neverland’, which sports that very Danish Pastel color lime green in its variegated foliage.
Coolvista™ Dianella
This awesome ornamental grass serves up this trend in two ways. First, its blue-gray blades create that light and bright backdrop that can help other bright colors to pop. And second, Coolvista™ Dianella itself is covered with pale periwinkle blue flowers in spring. At just 2 ft. tall, use in borders or containers as a “thriller” for brightly colored annuals.
Gerbera Daisy Garden Jewels™
If there ever was a plant meant to be the star of the Danish Pastels trend, it would have to be a gerbera daisy, specifically Gerbera Daisy Garden Jewels™ in pink and yellow. Perennial to Zone 7, these joyful blooms ooze happiness in borders, containers, and cut bouquets. And cut all you want—they’ll produce up to 100 flowers per plant!
Dear Dolores® and ‘Big Daddy’ Hydrangea
If you can’t get enough pinks and purples in your garden, big-leaf hydrangeas are for you. You’ll find a range of both colors on 5-ft. tall Dear Dolores®, depending on your soil’s acidity—and their blooms will be on repeat all season. Ditto for ‘Big Daddy’, who takes both plant habit and bloom size up a notch.
REALFLOR® ‘Real Charmer’ and Real Cream Leucanthemum
Hello, yellow! Our REALFLOR® Leucanthemums paint your garden with all the brightness of the sun. In hues ranging from cream to lemon, ‘Real Charmer’ is awash in fancy and fringed, deep golden central petals. The same goes for Real Cream but with a bit more of a butter yellow in each daisy’s center.
Skyscraper® Senecio
Let’s head back indoors—and invite complementary houseplants to the party! First on the guest list will be tall and structural Skyscraper® Senecio. A supporting element of design in its own right, the 2- to 3-ft. tall Skyscraper adds that blue-gray background that makes the lime greens and peony pinks pop. Its succulent nature adds to the minimalist look feel that defines any Scandi trend.