Introducing Bracken

Bracken. Our most iconic fern species, its triangular fronds unfurling over the upland landscape in a richly textured carpet of colour and form. It's as old as the hills itself – older, arguably – with archaeologists discovering fossils of its ancestors dating back more than 55 million years. So it's not surprising that this, the most efficient of reproducers, has colonised almost all temperate and tropical regions of the globe.

Come autumn, the lime green fronds of bracken's spring show turn softly through a kaleidoscope of pumpkin colours, from gold to copper, russet to chestnut and through to dun. And, because of its penchant to spread so purposefully across the landscape, it puts on a spectacular seasonal show like no other.

Victorian society was gripped by pteridomania – fern fever – thanks largely to the new fashion for naturalism and plant-hunting. Philosopher Henry David Thoreau once noted: "God created ferns to show what he could do with leaves." Wordsworth enthused about their "brilliant" and "various colours" in the Lakes while Ruskin painted them in Scotland. The Victorians' obsession with all things fern-like continued through art, interior design, literature and even on biscuits. Ladies collected them in ferneries. 

It's with a nod to history, and to bracken's iconic colouring, that's inspired Neptune's new-season paint shade. It's a warm orange, softened with a touch of brown, warmed by mustard and invokes the changing colours of the landscape outside, welcome autumn sunshine, plump Halloween pumpkins and roaring fires.

A more vivacious cousin to Chestnut and Burnt Sienna, more vibrant than Rhubarb and warmer than Burnham Red, bracken is comforting, inviting and liveable with a bold, contemporary edge. But it's at once subtly Victorian too. It's fabulous paired with the freshness of Orkney White or Driftwood, is calmed by Lead Light and enriched by Clove.

Neptune's collection of emulsion and eggshell paint is available in our Neptune store-in-store, in sizes from tester pots to 5l tins. Need some inspiration? Our in-house Neptune designer is always on hand to help and advise on everything from paint colours to fabrics, cabinetry to upholstered furniture.

Visit our Interior Design Studio to find out more and book a free design appointment or call 01886 884665.

Take me to Neptune By Holloways