From Ellen Wells, Editor-at-Large at Green Profit, a newsletter for the nursery trade:

“Top Colors for 2009
“Color sells. So what colors should you be selling in 2009? We’ve got information from two of the world’s color experts: Pantone and the Color Marketing Group.

“Pantone picks Mimosa (specifically, Pantone 14-0848) as its Color of the Year for 2009. In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, the color authority suggests, this warm yellow represents optimism, hope and reassurance, and is appealing to both genders. Look for it on items from ladies accessories to men’s ties to home accents.

“The Color Marketing Group has picked a range of colors that the group is calling an evolution of color. They, too, say concern for the economy combined with a post-election swell of spirit will lead consumers to find comfort in familiar colors as well as those that touch the chord of happiness.

Here are CMG’s popular color predictions for 2009:

Purple. A trend that got its start in fall 2008, purple will continue to be one of the “must have” colors of 2009. Hues: greyed-out violet, redder purples and bluer fuchsias.

Blue. Blue represents the new “green” environmental messaging. Hues: watery blue, sky blue.

Browns and greys. According to CMG, complex neutrals are safe and satisfying when economic worries rear their heads. Hues: cooled-down, greyed out browns and greys.

Yellow. Yellows will help keep us upbeat as the country battles back against a sour economy. It’ll be the accent color of the year. Hues: bright, vivid yellows.

Asian & Middle Eastern accents. From India, China and Turkey look for oranges, turquoises, teals, reds and yellows in many different hues. They lend a touch of optimism.

Mauve. What’s old is new again. Hues: Dusty violets work as a neutral color against the bright Asian and Middle Eastern accents.

White. CMG predicts white to show up everywhere in business, in all sorts of finishes. White represents purity of thought, exactly the message a corporate-wary public is looking for.

I received a press release from Ball Horticultural last week that linked Pantone’s and CMG’s top color picks with several new varieties, such as Purple Flash Ornamental Pepper and Lucky Pot of Gold Lantana. Consumers will be buying items—plants, pots and home furnishing accessories—in 2009’s top colors. Shouldn’t you be offering them?

For more on indoor and outdoor décor trends for 2009, be sure to check out Green Profit’s January cover story available online January 1.

“Top Tastes for 2009
“I’m a big fan of cooking and food trends, and wholeheartedly believe fans of cooking are also fans of plants and home décor. So I keep a careful eye on the food world. That’s why I’m sharing McCormick’s Flavor Forecast for 2009. It’s an interesting list that blends the comforting with the exotic—sort of like this year’s top colors.

Here are the flavor pairings you may see popping up on menus, and the flavors you’ll want to consider for items in your cafe and or on your spice shelves:

Toasted Sesame and Root Beer
Cayenne and Tart Cherry
Tarragon and Beetroot
Peppercorn Melange and Sake
Chinese Five Spice and Artisan-cured Pork
Dill and Avocado Oil
Rosemary and Fruit Preserves
Garam Masala and Pepitas
Mint and Quinoa
Smoked Paprika and Agave Nectar”