As Fearrington’s plants gradually wake from their winter slumber, a palette of fresh, cool tones eases the garden into spring. Reminiscent of water, sky, and stone, shades of blue, purple, and white create a relaxing and grounding mood to complement the gentle sunshine of a spring day.
When massed, cool-toned plants and flowers create a soothing focal point while still harmonizing with their surroundings. Along the walk to the Fearrington House Restaurant, a strip of Bugleweeds (Ajuga ‘Bronze Beauty’ and ‘Caitlin's Giant') bloom in spikes of bright indigo, highlighting their deep purple leaves and brightening the shade when the sun dips behind a nearby Southern Magnolia.
Across from these, visitors can see a patch of Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), with blue-tinged white bells, and a sweep of just-emerging Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’), its shoots of blue-green foliage tinted with pink and white.
A favorite native wildflower at Fearrington, Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) bloom with clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers, often transforming from pink to purple to vibrant blue. Blooming in masses in front of the Restaurant and speckled throughout shady areas, they will go dormant as the season warms, allowing summer plants to take center stage.
Another favorite, Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata), flowers in dense mats of purples, pinks, and blues. Visitors entering the village are greeted with patches of the soft ‘Emerald Blue' cultivar near McIntyre’s Books. Behind the Restaurant, ‘Purple Beauty' complements both the neutral purple of Fox Grape (Fritillaria uva-vulpis) and the brighter tones of assorted violets. Smaller patches of pink, white, and lavender varieties embellish sunny corners throughout the Village.
Cool tones also blend seamlessly into mixed plantings, creating welcome highlights without distracting from surrounding plants. The pale clusters of Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana), a spike of Grape Hyacinth (Muscari spp.), or the tiny blooms of Georgia Blue Speedwell (Veronica peduncularis ‘Georgia Blue’) make for happy discoveries on a stroll through the gardens.
In big bold drifts or tiny hidden treasures, cool colors create a welcoming serenity, an invitation from nature to spend warmer, longer days resting and reflecting in the gardens.
Rachael, Fearrington Gardener
The Village Shops are open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
