No matter the year, one flower garden color combination feels utterly timeless: purple and white. Whether it's a duo-toned look or broken up with multi-colored wild flowers, this look is simultaneously striking and calming. If you need proof, look no further than the homes of Ina Garten and Martha Stewart.
Both icons use the stunning garden color palette to create gorgeous, relaxing summer planting. At Martha's Turkey Hill home in Westport, Connecticut, purple alliums are accented with white daisies. Interspersed red and orange roses help to create a strong contrast. On the other hand, Ina uses almost exclusively purple and white flowers at her East Hampton home.
Salvia features prominently (seeds are available at Amazon), and her choice of alabaster blooms is equally well chosen. Both schemes start with a strong green base and overlay bold flowers to bring it to life. Here is a peek into each space.
Purple plants are the secret weapon that gives these gardens their tranquil and welcoming feel. To help you recreate their look, I've curated an edit of plants and tools you need to tap into Ina and Martha's outdoor style. I also interviewed a garden expert to get to the bottom of why this is the best color combination for spring, and the ideal plants you can use to get it.
Recreate Martha and Ina's Look at Home
There's nothing like a knock out rose, and these pretty and hardy ones will be a beautiful addition to any garden. I love how these look in a flower patch.
If you want to add a purple pop to your garden, these flowers are an exact lookalike to those at Ina's Hamptons house. They are gorgeous mixed in with white flowers.
Both Ina and Martha use trellises in their garden to add a touch of height. If you want the option to change your trellis based on your mood, this metal arch can be height adjusted for different looks. Ideal for the indecisive gardener.
Bathe your garden in color with this stunning pack of wildflower seeds. They create an effortlessly gorgeous spread, and attract positive pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. They are the perfect addition to create a wild look around a more manicured purple and white plan.
What's more eye-catching than an allium? This beautiful plant is the showpiece of Martha Stewart's garden, and it can be the same at your own home.
If you're going to plant out your garden this season, you're going to need garden gloves, and who knew they could look so chic? Perfect for roses or shrubs, they keep hands protected through every gardening task. Flexible for delicate work, they make it easy to reach into thick foliage or handle prickly stems with confidence.
For those who love Ina and Martha's garden idea, now is the ideal moment to start planting. Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, tells Homes & Gardens says: 'Spring is the perfect time to start gardening, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right plants, even the smallest space can come to life and reward you in spring and beyond.' Purple and white perennials bring this liveliness.
So, what are the best plants for bringing a pop of purple into your flower beds? Julian recommends salvia and lavender. He explains: 'Salvia offers striking spikes of flowers in blues, purples, reds, and whites. Its upright form adds vertical interest, while also attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Salvias thrive in sunny, well-drained areas and keep blossoming right into autumn. Their aromatic foliage adds another sensory layer to the garden and is a popular late garden favorite.'
On growing lavender, Julian advises: 'Loved for its fragrant purple blooms, lavender is a highly hardy plant that thrives in diverse climates and withstands both cold and heat, making it ideal for spring gardens worldwide. Fast growing and refreshingly fuss-free, lavender adds lasting beauty to gardens and containers while creating an irresistible haven for bees and other pollinators.'
A stunning color palette is the perfect place to start planting a beautiful garden. Beyond trends, it's a timeless way to bring relaxation into your outdoor space.
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