The preferred color palette can change dramatically from one season to the next. As we shift from summer into fall, this is a good time to look at what the color trend forecasts see ahead for the fall color wheel and how these autumn colors can be used in our floral designs.

These trends will show up in all sorts of products from the fashion world to items for the home, including containers and other things for floral design. This offers floral designers a way of tapping into current trends.

Blues were forecast as a summer favorite. However, for fall the tones of the blues will change somewhat. Unlike the true blues seen in most flowers and in the sky, the blue for fall is forecast to be the Iris blue.

Though this is blue, Iris blue does have strong purple undertones in some respects. This combines beautifully with the jewel tones typically seen in the fall, including brownish-red and deep plum.

Blue will also be seen in Caribbean blue. This is a restful shade that evokes a sense of tranquility.

Twilight blue is a little more complex. It is reminiscent of a navy blue, a color that isn’t often seen in most flowers. For that reason, this would need to come from containers, or floral design accessories, such as ribbons.

The color purple is expected to be a fall favorite. In this case, it is Royal Lilac, which is enriched with a touch of red undertones.

Autumn would be missing something if it didn’t include vibrant reds, golds, and yellows evocative of fall foliage. This season the specific orange will be Burnt orange, which is quite different from the sunny orange seen in the summer palette. Shitake is a rich looking dark orange. The yellow for fall will be Ochre, which will lend a vibrant yellow like that of autumn leaves.

The green for the fall season will be evocative of nature. This is considered to be a true green, and quite different from other popular greens in the past that typically contained hints of yellow.

The fall color wheel wouldn’t be complete without the various reds. Withered Rose is considered the most versatile because it contains hints of brown as well as a touch of pink. In addition, Aurora Red should make quite a splash. This is a true red with no blue overtones.

For fall 2008, other popular colors are expected to be chocolate brown as well as gray, black, and white.

For fall, there are various ways floral designers can introduce these color trends into arrangements. These include using flowers and foliage in appropriate shades as well as colored vases and containers, carefully chosen ribbons, bows, and wraps for the containers, and other accessories often used in arrangements.