Dulux has unveiled its Colour of the Year 2026, and this time, it’s not one hue, but a trio of blues: Mellow Flow™, Slow Swing™ and Free Groove™.

The shades, which cover light and airy, seaside and midnight blues, are designed to match mood and lifestyle – whether you’re craving calm, comfort or creative energy.

As with all interior trends, these blues are set to be big outdoors too, with gardeners looking to pick up blue flowering and foliage plants from their nearest garden centre to refresh their patios and borders.

But why blue?

In a world of constant noise and digital overwhelm, blue brings peace. It’s the colour of clarity and calm, backed by neuro-aesthetic research showing its power to soothe and restore.

Dulux didn’t just pick these hues on a whim – its team studied online global trends, social shifts and emotional needs to craft a palette that speaks to the moment, which is why we predict blue will also be big in gardens in 2026.

Garden centres – time to go blue

Here are six of the best blue bloomers and foliage from our 2026 Retailers’ Catalogue.

Ceanothus Puget Blue

We grow a great range of Ceanothus! Strong, well branched plants supplied on 90cm canes in bud. The collection offers a range of flower shades and leaf types to suit any palette. For those looking for blue tones the collection includes Ceanothus Puget Blue.

Dianella revolute Coolvista

Dianella revoluta Coolvista is a compact and hardy perennial with attractive straplike leaves. It forms neat clumps and produces delicate blue flowers in spring followed by decorative purple berries. It thrives in various soil types and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. Coolvista is a versatile plant that adds beauty to gardens, borders and containers

Polemonium Heaven Scent

A pretty airy plant with mound forming fern like leaves in green/purple. Its blue flowers provide a delicate fragrance from late spring onwards. Looks great at the front of the borders or mixed within other garden plants.

Agapantus Charlotte

Charlotte offers large balls of star shaped flowers that are pale blue with a dark violet blue stripe down the centre for late summer. Compact growing and clump forming with broad strappy leaves.

Campanula persicifolia Blue Bloomers

This deciduous perennial has narrow green leaves and violet blue double flowers throughout summer. Although spreading this plant has a clump forming and erect habit suitable for herbaceous areas, rockeries, and containers.

Fargesia papyrifera Blue Dragon

Papyrifera Blue Dragon is the ideal choice for a slightly taller garden effect. This variety is grown for its intense powdery white/blue culms. Perfect for larger screens and the ideal plant to bring architectural form and privacy to the garden.

Get in touch to order

If you are a garden centre or retailer looking to promote the blue trend in your displays next year, please get in touch to find out how we can help.