People tire of the same color. We want something new. That’s basically why we have color trends that change somewhat from year to year. For 2005, pink remained a very popular color. For 2006, it doesn’t play a big role. The color trends do have an effect on floral design and everything we see for sale.

There are several organizations that specialize in making color trend predictions. One such group is the Pantone Color Institute. These colors will be reflected in all sorts of products, including everything from home décor, textiles, and home furnishings to floral products.

The floral trends for 2006 were unveiled at the American Institute of Floral Designers Symposium, which took place July 4th through the 6th in 2005 at Seattle, Washington. As part of that symposium, organizers solicited input from leading floral stylists and floral products designers to come up with the 2006 floral trend forecasts.

As with the color palette of previous years, the one for 2006 actually features a wide range of shades that can be mixed and matched. As a result, consumers can pick and choose and not feel any specific color is being forced on them by the marketplace.

Now, let’s look at some specific colors that we’ll see around in 2006. Blue will remain a favorite. This year’s blue is called Moody Blue in which the classic deep denim will be paired with emerald green and deep turquoise.

Plum Infusion is a rich mix of various related tones, including true plum as well as lilac and purple. For this combination, I would recommend using either a container or ribbon that is brown.

Red never goes out of style. There are all kinds of reds from scarlet to purple-infused and even blackish-red. For 2006, the red will be a deep red like that seen in the Bacchara rose.

Of the specific flowers, no specific predictions were made as to what is chic and what will go out of fashion. However, judging from the descriptions of the shades in the color palette, the ordinary alstroemeria should do just fine. These are generally available in a wide range of tones that harmonize well with the color trends for 2006. Typically, these flowers feature a blend of tones, such as a brighter or darker color on a different colored background. For 2006, the alstroemerias with splashes of copper, clay, terra cotta, and caramel would work beautifully.

When we think of color, flowers come immediately to mind. However, there are other ways the color trends can be expressed through the containers, ribbons, and other floral products we use. For 2006, containers that are pure white, licorice, or a combination of black and white would be ideal. For ribbons and other accessories, you might want to use illusion blue, and lilac ash.

When choosing your container, realize that water and glass are an integral part of the 2006 floral trends. Depending on its shape and style, the container can convey various moods from Mother Earth to Zen, all of which integrate well with these trends.