Give your garden a dose of serenity with Pantone’s “Cloud Dancer”
Think of a soft, warm white—fresh, breezy, and effortlessly chic. That’s “Cloud Dancer,” Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026. Calm without being boring, elegant without being fussy, it’s the perfect excuse to press the refresh button on your garden this spring.
As curator of plant collections at the Chicago Botanic Garden, I’m always dreaming in color, and I couldn’t help imagining how this serene shade might drift into beds, borders, and containers. “Cloud Dancer” brings unity, clarity, and quiet confidence, pulling plants, colors, and textures into natural harmony. It has a way of softening the whole space, inviting you to slow down and take a deep, settling breath.
“Cloud Dancer” is a true chameleon in the garden, blending effortlessly with almost any palette. Whether you want calm sophistication, bold contrast, or playful pops of color, it adapts beautifully. Soft pastels—from blush pinks to muted lavenders and buttery creams—helps lighten the mood. Shades borrowed from the sky and sun—powdery blues, soft periwinkle, and warm golden yellows—add brightness and energy without overwhelming the serene backdrop.
All-white plantings offer a dreamy stage for evening entertainment, glowing under string lights or lanterns and letting every bloom and texture stand out. Tropical pops of lime green, bright orange, or vivid pink bring bursts of lively energy, dancing across beds and containers. Pair boldly, contrast freely, or keep it serene—"Cloud Dancer” works anywhere, highlighting polished elegance and refreshing ease.
Here's how you can bring “Cloud Dancer” to your garden
Achillea
‘Firefly Diamond’
Yarrow
A long-blooming yarrow with delicate, flat-topped ivory flowers reminiscent of drifting stratocumulus. Blooming late spring through summer, it attracts butterflies and bees and adds textured interest to sunny borders and containers. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it forms neat, modestly spreading clumps.
Clinopodium nepeta subsp. glandulosa
‘White Cloud’
Lesser Calamint
A fragrant, compact mint with billowy spikes of pale blooms. Flowering mid to late summer, it forms gentle mounds and releases a soothing scent when brushed. A genuine bee magnet, it draws steady visitors all season. Heat- and drought-tolerant, it’s perfect for naturalistic borders or easy-care beds, offering seasonal charm and understated refinement.
Cosmos bipinnatus
[Sonata™ White] ‘PAS1789’
Cosmos
A cheerful annual with buoyant, daisy-like blossoms that sway in the breeze. Blooming from early summer to fall, it self-seeds easily while supplying height and light texture to beds and containers. Its dancing flowers infuse seasonal brightness and carefree appeal.
Lobelia erinus
LAGUNA ® Cloud White™
Edging Lobelia
A trailing annual with cascading funnel-shaped blooms that spill gracefully over containers. Flowering late spring through fall, it delivers flowing texture to baskets or borders. Heat-tolerant and long-lasting, it’s perfect for summer color with a delicate, playful presence.
By Magnus Manske - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Petunia axillaris
'Rainmaster'
Large White Petunia
A fragrant annual petunia with broad, trumpet-shaped creamy petals that releases a warm vanilla-and-clove scent in the evening. Blooming summer through fall, its flowers stay upright when clouds turn stormy, living up to its Rainmaster name. Not common in nurseries, it will likely need to be grown from seed.
Rosa
[CLOUD 10™] 'Radclean'
Climbing Rose
A compact, disease-resistant rose with lofty, cupped ivory blooms that climb high and give a polished, refined look. Flowering repeatedly late spring through fall, it provides structure and sophisticated presence in beds or mixed borders. Undemanding yet striking, its timeless elegance suits modern gardens beautifully.
Salvia farinacea
‘Victoria White’
Mealycup Sage
A spiky annual with soft tubular petals rising above gray-green foliage. Blooming from late spring to fall, it introduces vertical interest and a refined form to borders and containers. Drought-tolerant and long-lasting, it thrives in sun or heat while offering continuous seasonal appeal.