Green is an incredibly diverse color with many subtle and vibrant shades. While lush emerald greens and forest greens are common sights in nature, there exist some rare and exceptional greens that stand out even among green’s populous palette. These unique greens often derive from exotic plant sources or are created through ingenious color production methods. Though uncommon, these greens add incredible depth and intrigue to the color spectrum.
Chartreuse Green
One distinctive green worthy of attention is chartreuse. Chartreuse refers to a vivid yellowish green that takes its name from Green Chartreuse, a French liqueur made by Carthusian Monks since 1764. The unique yellow-green color of the 130-proof alcoholic drink derives from the chlorophyll of plants used during the maceration process. Chartreuse green is evocative of spring and described as the color between green and yellow.
Celadon Green
Celadon refers to a pale greyish green that takes its name from the distinctive glazes found on ancient Southeast Asian celadon ceramics. Celadon wares were produced during China’s Song Dynasty era and later in regions such as Thailand and Vietnam. The pale, seafoam-toned greens were created by firing clay with small amounts of iron oxide to produce a crackled glaze effect in shades of green. Celadon green is widely appreciated for its soothing, elegant appearance.
| Color | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Chartreuse Green | #7FFF00 |
| Celadon Green | #ACE1AF |
Verdigris Green
Verdigris refers to a bluish green shade associated with the natural patinas formed on aged copper surfaces. The distinctive color takes its name from the Middle English vertegrez, derived from the Latin viridis aeris, meaning “green of copper.” Verdigris patina was used as a pigment in medieval paintings to create deep green coloration. Verdigris green carries connotations of antiquity and corroded copper artifacts.
Mantis Green
Mantis green describes a vivid yellow-green color said to resemble the shades of the praying mantis insect. It is a bright, cheery green that adds energetic accent color. The term mantis green was coined by sociologist John H. Denison in 2015 to honor the praying mantis. With its connotations of nature, vibrancy, and good fortune, mantis green adds fun flair as an accent color in posters, website designs, packaging, and athletic gear branding.
| Color | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Verdigris Green | #43B3AE |
| Mantis Green | #74C365 |
Harlequin Green
Harlequin green describes a rich green color associated with the vibrant costumes of Harlequin, a comedic servant character in Italian theater known as the Commedia dell’Arte. The color features a strong yellow undertone compared to darker forest greens. It is sometimes called Kelly green, referring to the family surname of the aristocratic Irish Kelly family. Harlequin greens add an eye-catching pop of color and visual intensity. The shade took off after being used on early 20th century vehicle models like the Harley-Davidson Sport model motorcycle.
Brunswick Green
Brunswick green refers to a deep, ox-blood toned green which gets its name from Braunschweig, Germany, where the color was used on uniforms. Brunswick green sits between forest green and British racing green on the color wheel. The dark tone with subtle red undertones creates a rich, intense shade. In 1866, the National Rifle Association adopted Brunswick green for their competing team uniforms, boosting its popularity. Today it is seen as a bold traditional green fitting for upholstery, uniforms, and exteriors.
| Color | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Harlequin Green | #3A5A40 |
| Brunswick Green | #1B4D3E |
Russian Green
Russian green refers to a muted bluish-green inspired by traditional Russian lacquer art and porcelain. Also sometimes called Russian olive, the color gained renown from Fabergé eggs created by jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé for the Russian Imperial family. His coveted Easter eggs featuring Russian green enameling helped popularize the color. Russian green carries a sense of antiquity and luxury, sitting between evergreen and slate blue on the color wheel. It adds an elegant touch in home décor accents, jewelry, and event designs.
Myrtle Green
Myrtle green describes a greyish green shade said to resemble the leaves of the myrtle shrub. Myrtle plants are common around the Mediterranean region. The color also draws comparisons to the shades of green olives. Myrtle green is classic yet versatile as an interior wall color. Unlike brighter greens, it has a more neutral effect similar to sage green. The term myrtle green came into use in the early 19th century. Before synthetic dyes, the shade was traditionally created using sap from buckthorn berries.
| Color | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Russian Green | #679267 |
| Myrtle Green | #355E3B |
Conclusion
While verdant shades like emerald and forest green may be the most recognizable greens, there exist many remarkable rare greens with their own unique stories and connotations. Chartreuse, celadon, verdigris, mantis, harlequin, Brunswick, Russian, and myrtle greens each add their own distinctive flair to design and décor. Their rarity and nuanced hues give them a special allure. Keeping an eye out for these uncommon greens adds clever subtlety to any color palette.
