HOW TO BRING THE HOTTEST COLOUR TREND INTO YOUR GARDEN
A rich, earthy brown is set to dominate design trends in 2025, bringing warmth, elegance, and a deep connection to nature.
Dubbed Mocha Mousse, this inviting shade reflects a growing desire for comfort, sustainability, and timeless beauty—and it’s just as stunning in the garden as in the interiors.
From caramel-toned roses to bronze-hued dahlias, this colour trend celebrates natural textures and tones.
Recognising its widespread appeal, the Pantone Colour Institute named PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse its Colour of the Year for 2025.
According to Pantone, this warm, rich brown embodies calmness, connection, and simplicity, aligning with the shift toward nature-inspired design.
Garden designer and horticulture expert Andrew Stark shares his top plant picks and expert tips for creating an on-trend, effortlessly organic garden.
Why Mocha Mousse Works in the Garden
Comfort: Its grounding tones create a serene, inviting environment, blending seamlessly with outdoor spaces.
Sustainability: The colour reflects a shift toward eco-friendly gardening practices, promoting a connection to the earth.
Simplicity: Mocha Mousse aligns with timeless, low-maintenance garden designs that celebrate natural beauty.
Andrew’s Top Plant Picks for a Mocha Mousse-Inspired Garden
Roses: Roses in warm tones such as toffee, cinnamon, or coffee shades are an ideal match for the Mocha Mousse aesthetic. Varieties like ‘Café au Lait’ and ‘Hot Cocoa’ create timeless elegance, especially when paired with soft green foliage.
Dahlias: Dahlias are known for their bold, show-stopping blooms, and varieties such as ‘Brown Sugar’ or ‘Chocolate Sundae’ are perfect for reflecting the Mocha Mousse palette. These plants thrive in sunny spots and bloom from summer through early winter. They are also making a huge comeback in gardens globally.
Salvia Africana Lutea: Salvia is a standout choice, with deep coffee, chocolate, and rust hues varieties. Known for their drought tolerance and long blooming season, salvias attract pollinators and add vibrant texture to garden beds.
Day Lily & Viola: Day lilies, with their lush blooms in caramel and bronze tones, perfectly complement violas, which offer petite flowers in a range of earthy shades. They add charm and versatility to garden borders, beds, and containers.
Bearded Iris: Set to make a resurgence in 2025, the bearded iris adds architectural beauty to any garden. With varieties in earthy bronze and rich brown shades, they complement salvias and roses beautifully while adding height and texture.
Designing a Mocha Mousse Garden
Andrew suggests pairing plants with warm tones with soft greens, silvers, or whites to create a balanced, natural aesthetic. Incorporating plants with varied textures, such as the velvety petals of dahlias, the bold spikes of irises, and the bushy elegance of salvias, adds depth and interest to the design.
Consider natural materials like cocoa mulch or wooden borders to enhance the earthy tones further.
These additions reinforce the Mocha Mousse theme and support healthy soil and sustainable gardening practices.
Andrew Stark is a horticulture and garden design expert. You can follow him on Instagram @andrewstarkgardendesign and www.andrewstarkgardens.com
