Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.

Greenery. Invoking images of lush sprawling landscapes and intimate secret gardens, Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year can appeal to a wide variety of people.

Each year since 1999, Pantone, the “world renowned authority on color,” chooses a Color of the Year and this year Greenery takes over from 2016’s blend of Rose Quartz and Serenity.

Pantone looks for color influences in a variety of areas, from art collections to socio-economic conditions to technology to sporting events. In turn, the selected color then has the potential to influence such areas as fashion, interior design and product development.

As usual, Pantone gets deep with its explanation of the color choice. Greenery is described as a “refreshing and revitalizing shade… symbolic of new beginnings,” as well as “fresh”, “zesty” and evoking images of restorative nature which signals for consumers to reinvigorate, and reinvent, themselves.

It is this reinvention which hits home with many after such a time of recent turmoil politically and socially.

“Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalize, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.”

Interior designer Barbara Hawthorn suggests the choice may have political links to those who are hoping for an end to global warming. “This green is a great color when people need a lift. And we do.”

The inevitable link with the environment is echoed in the words of Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “There’s a growing desire to reconnect with nature and what is real, and find ways to disconnect from technology. We need a break. We need to stop and breathe,” she said in an interview with Forbes. “[Greenery] is about unity and community – connecting to oneself and others and a higher purpose, nature.”

When it comes to its use in the home, designers are divided with their opinions of this yellow-green shade, which Pantone refers to as “nature’s neutral.” Some revere it as fresh, playful and refreshing, while David Haynes, editor at HGTV.com, likens the color to split pea soup.

Designers are also split in their opinion of how to use this bright shade. Some encourage users to be brave and use Greenery as a wall color, while others play it slightly safer, suggesting the use of temporary wallpaper. Many designers see its potential as an accent color, to enhance your existing palette and design, as opposed to drowning it in green. HGTV suggests incorporating it in throws or pillows, accent wallpaper, faux succulents, accessories and other smaller décor items.

Pantone says that Greenery pairs itself with a variety of other colors, including neutrals, pastels, metallic and deeper shades, with different pairings creating different results. For example, paired with pink, Greenery produces more of a tropical island effect, while paired with white it produces a clean and tranquil feel.

The color has also started appearing outside of the home, with the Mercedes-AMG GT R displaying the eye-catching shade, as well as prominent fashion lines such as Gucci and Prada featuring it on their 2017 runways.