Zooey Deschanel's purple roses are bold, romantic, and show-stopping – a master gardener explains how she keeps them full and vibrant into the fall
The actress's cottage-style garden celebrates an unexpected color with healthy blooms, here's how to keep your roses just as happy


Zooey Deschanel is known for coloring outside the lines, and the same applies to her choice of flowers. An Instagram post reveals the bold, purple roses in Deschanel and her husband, Johnathan Scott's garden. Even though we're creeping into fall, the flowers look as full and vibrant as ever.
Their refreshing rose planting is a masterclass in cottage garden ideas. The bold and romantic flowers lend an unexpected warmth to the outdoor space. They sit in perfect opposition to the rich green of the surrounding plants and perfectly complement the more conventional pink and yellow roses. Next to the sweet white gazebo in the couple's backyard, it creates the feel of a traditional English garden in the middle of California.
The choice of purple plants or another expected shade is a great way to maintain a classic feel while infusing personality. Though Deschanel has planted roses, one of the most beloved plants, the purple feels distinctly her. Try taking inspiration from a signature color, your favorite item of clothing, or go to the plant center and see what strikes your fancy. There's more than just one way to design a beautiful garden, and an unorthodox pop of color is a fun way to make it more interesting.
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Further, her plant choice is ideal for emphasizing the English garden feel of her outdoor space. Thom Rutter, master gardener and gardens content editor at Homes & Gardens states: 'Roses are a classic cottage garden plant. Whether you opt to grow miniature roses, climbing roses or shrub roses, these romantic blooms are always an impactful addition to any yard.'
If you choose to go the way of Deshchanel and plant roses, care is just as important as deciding on the right plants. First, consider the right place to plant your roses. Rutter advises: 'In terms of growing roses, always provide as much sunshine as possible, ideally in a spot with 6-8 hours of direct sun and preferably in a sheltered corner of the yard.' We can see this in Deschanel's garden, where one of the sunniest spots in the space has been chosen to display her plants.
Pruning is also of utmost importance in rose care. Rutter suggests: 'Through the spring and summer, deadheading roses is an essential garden task that will prolong the floral display. As soon as the petals fade and fall, simply snip the stem to prevent the plant from expending energy on seed production. If you continue deadheading during the growing season, blooms will keep coming, even late into the season, as Zooey Deschanel shows.' Flowers all year round? Yes please!
When it comes to planting your own garden, Deschanel's outdoor space is a reminder to plant to the beat of your own drummer. Don't be scared of unexpected planting combinations, and don't be nervous to bring in non-traditional colors, even if you are going for a more traditional look.
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For more rose pruning essentials, Rutter also recommends these pieces below.
Gardening is an art, and a true artist uses ever color in the rainbow. Just don't forget to plant intelligently, prune, and garden with your heart.

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.
In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.
Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.
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