Spooky Halloween Colors in the Year-Round Garden

It’s only Halloween one day per year, and most people let their Halloween spirit out only in the month of October. But if Halloween or spooky, creepy plants is your jam, you can create that in your garden year-round! We say, why wait for one month when there’s 11 other months that need the creep effect?

What makes a plant “spooky?”

Well, that is certainly up for debate. But around here, we think spooky plants are any of the following:

• Dark & moody colors: We’re thinking blood red, dark maroon, and deep purple-black here. These colors are dark, moody, a bit goth and mysterious. Check out Reblooming Bearded Iris Superstition, Tulip Black Hero, Allium Atropurpureum, and Tulip Rococco.
• Electric colors: Picture candy corn in your mind and you’re on the right track. Bright orange, brilliant yellow, and throw in some electric purple and you’re golden. Some of our favorites include Japanese Iris Royal Robes, Ranunculus Tecolote Gold, Crocus Vernus Flower Record, Asiatic Lily Giraffe, and Ranunculus Tecolote Flamenco. 
• Ghostly colors: Think silver, gray, and white. Most of these ghostly colors will perfectly contrast with and set off any of the other colors we just talked about, so start collecting your artemisia, silver ponyfoot, and lambs ears, as well as Florist Cyclamen Persicum, Daylily Gentle Shepherd, and Bearded Iris Halloween Halo.
• Weird forms: You’ve got your average, expected flower and petal shapes, and then there’s the oddballs that are spikey, unusual, and intriguing. How about the triangular (and also dark purple) foliage of Oxalis Triangularis, Voodoo Lily with enormous stinky flowers, and Lycoris Yellow Aurea Trio with its spidery petals?
• Intriguing patterns or textures: This is where you can add an extra layer of spookiness with flowers like Scilla Maderensis, Fritillaria Checkered Lily Meleagris, Asiatic Tango Lily Tasmania (those petals look blood-splattered), and Tulip Little Princess.
• Fetching names: Sometimes all you need to know is that the amaryllis is called Desire and you know you want it in your garden. Same with Bearded Iris Superstition, Ranunculus Tecolote Burning Embers Mix, Daylily Entrapment, and Bearded Iris Halloween Halo. Want a nod to vampires? Add in Ranunculus Tecolote Sunset and Narcissus Golden Dawn.

How to Add Spooky Halloween Colors to Your Garden

We highly recommend being clear from the beginning about what you want this garden to look like. Dark and creepy? Moody and romantic? Bright and fun? Because these plants are individually striking and dramatic, if you throw them all into the garden together, it may look like a frightening mess. Maybe one of these tips will help you achieve the creepy Halloween effect you want:

• Blend colors carefully. We love a dark blackish purple blended with lavender and silver, a jolt of yellow with bright purple, traditional orange and white, and all-white or silver. Every color scheme creates a mood; think about what you want and then choose your colors (and plants) accordingly.
• Use a healthy dose of green. Remember those green shrubs, trees, and groundcovers — their muted shades will effectively balance out the strong colors in the flowers.
• Adhere to general garden design concepts. Remember the rules about contrast, repetition, and texture? Those still apply! Perhaps even more so when your garden is a bit different than the norm.
• Read our blog about how to incorporate weird plants into your garden. It’s literally titled “5 Ways to Incorporate Weird Plants into Your Garden.” You’re welcome.

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