Purple Cauliflower Plant

According to Garden Trends, Whole Foods, and the USDA, the color purple will captivate gardeners in 2018 more than ever before.  If you’ve followed Whole Foods’ Annual Trend Advisory Report, you know that “Richly colored purple foods are popping up everywhere: purple cauliflower, black rice, purple asparagus, elderberries, acai, purple sweet potatoes, purple corn and cereal will become favorites amongst customers”.  But what makes purple so powerfully charming?

Aside from looking cool, purple foods are rich in anthocyanins, or antioxidants that help combat aging, fight cancer & obesity, and promote heart health, according to the USDA.  They can also strengthen mental health.  This has caused celebrities, nutritionists, and other health professionals to jump on the purple bandwagon.  Purple food has also taken Instagram by storm, and recently, Pantone—the world authority on color—chose Ultra Voilet as its color of the year for 2018.  According to Pantone, the color Purple ties closely with health and well-being, along with originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking.

So if you’re looking to join the purple craze, we suggest adding some new elements to your garden this spring.  Beets, Black Raspberries, Purple Cabbage, Purple Carrots, Purple Sweet Potatoes, Eggplant and Blueberries are just a few of many species to start with!