“But everything in the landscape around them spoke of autumn. The sea was roaring hollowly in the distance, the fields were bare and sere, scarfed with golden rod, the brook valley below Green Gables overflowed with asters of ethereal purple, and the Lake of Shining Waters was blue – blue – blue; not the changeful blue of spring, nore the pale azure of summer, but a clear, steadfast, serene blue, as if the water were past all moods and tenses of emotion and had settled down to a tranquility unbroken by fickle dreams.” – Anne of the Island, L.M. Montgomery, 1915

Few have the ability to put the Island’s scenic beauty into words the way L.M. Montgomery has in her books and poetry, but we all share an appreciation for the special palette of Prince Edward Island. From our signature red soil to rolling green fields and deep blue harbours, PEI’s hues continue to inspire writers, painters, potters, photographers, as well as Islanders and visitors alike.

Over the years, many people have been inspired by the unique colours of PEI and have tried to capture them in their own way. Artist Lindsey Ross created the Fifty Shades of Prince Edward Island print using watercolours. It features hues like Lobster, a red with the slightest pink tinge; Gable Green, a rich olive green; and Sea Glass, a frosted saline blue-green. Jessica Gallant Beauty created the PEI Palette, a collection of 16 eyeshadows. Her chosen shades include Garlic Fingers, a lustrous champagne reminiscent of the glistening broiled mozzarella we all know and love, and Mussels, a deep, dark navy blue.

Whatever the source of your inspiration, recreating the colourful memories of PEI in your home is as easy as adding a new coat of paint to a boring wall. Here are ten beautiful paint colours that match the hues of Prince Edward Island to delight and inspire you.

1. PEI Tartan Red

Designed by Jean Reed of Covehead, the Provincial Tartan was adopted in 1960, using red, green, white, and gold. The deep red of the soil represented in the tartan can be matched with Pantone 7623 C, or Benjamin Moore Caliente AF-290. This historic red would look smart as an exterior paint on a shed, or painted on wainscoting and trim.

Other paint options: Behr Cherry Tree, Farrow & Ball Incarnadine, Sherwin Williams Classy Red, Valspar Dante’s Cardigan, Benjamin Moore Brick Red

2. Lake of Shining Waters Blue

What exactly is the “steadfast, serene blue” in the above excerpt from Anne of the Island? We imagine it to be something like Pantone 7696 U, or Benjamin Moore Old Blue Jeans 839. Soft, but not pale. A reflection of a calm autumn sky, neither too saturated nor too silvery. A medium blue looks stately and relaxed in a living room.

Other paint options: Behr Americana, Farrow & Ball Ultra Marine Blue, Sherwin Williams Sporty Blue, Valspar Brookside

3. Canola Yellow

Those bright yellow fields you might have seen around PEI are canola. An intense, almost-neon cheerful yellow with just a suggestion of green to it, try Benjamin Moore Eve Green 2024-20 or New Lime 2025-30. This bold pop of colour suits a maximalist and adventurous aesthetic – consider a paneled door or a painted dresser as you dip your toes into this hue.

Other paint options: Behr Lemon Lime, Sherwin Williams Citronella, Valspar Lime Passion, Benjamin Moore Citron, Benjamin Moore Citrus Burst

4. Silvery Poplar Green

As the seasons change from summer to fall, the leaves of the Island’s white poplar trees become a shimmery silver-green. Benjamin Moore Flora AF-470 dances the line between grey and green, just like these glittering leaves. A calm, understated tone like this could be used in a bedroom or dining room.

Other paint options: Behr Green Balsam, Sherwin Williams Unusual Gray, Valspar Serene Scene, Benjamin Moore Castle Walls

5. Potato Blossom Purple

Fields of potatoes span the entire Island, with the Russet Burbank variety being the most popular. Its blossom is lovely pale pink-purple, subdued with just a touch of grey. In the summer, when the potatoes have gone to flower, the colour story of potato fields is a beautiful one – acres of rich reddish clay, striped with dark green potato leaves, topped with delicate blossoms. Think Pantone 263 U, or Benjamin Moore Grape Ice 1395 – it would look crisp and feminine in a powder room.

Other paint options: Behr Light Mulberry, Sherwin Williams Rhapsody Lilac, Valspar Playful Petal, Benjamin Moore Violet Petal, Benjamin Moore French Lilac

6. Oyster Shell Grey

Who hasn’t admired the inside of an oyster shell after it’s been shucked? The faintly iridescent grey-whites would look good in any room, especially with the barest suggestion of blue or lavender. Consider Pantone 7541 C, or Benjamin Moore Iced Cube Silver 2121-50 – it seems the kind of grey that would look a little different throughout the day.

Other paint options: Behr Beach Wind, Farrow & Ball Blackened, Sherwin Williams Quicksilver, Valspar Subtle Canopy, Benjamin Moore Whirlpool, Benjamin Moore Cascade White

7. Lady Slipper Pink

Our provincial flower, the Lady Slipper, grows in mossy forest floors and other wet swampy areas. Keep an eye out in early to mid July when trekking through provincial parks and along trails, and you might just spot this special orchid. There are three species of Lady Slipper known to grow on PEI – the Pink, the Yellow, and the Showy. Bring this rare flower’s pink to your space using Benjamin Moore Springtime Bloom 2079-40 – a front door, an armoire, or even the backs of shelves.

Other paint options: Behr Sweet Chrysanthemum, Farrow & Ball Rangwali, Sherwin Williams Vivacious Pink, Valspar Iced Berry, Benjamin Moore Pink Ladies

8. Dune Grass Green

Our famous sand dunes are of significant ecological importance, as nesting sites for birds like the Piping Plover and home of the threatened Gulf of St. Lawrence aster. Marram grass is the main vegetation on dunes, adding structural integrity with its extensive root systems. Our marram grass dunes provide some protection against storm surges; they also just so happen to be beautiful! For this lush and bright grassy green, look for a paint like Benjamin Moore’s Baby Fern 2029-20.

Other paint options: Behr Sun Valley, Farrow & Ball Sap Green, Sherwin Williams Festival Green, Valspar Lime Candy, Benjamin Moore Pleasant Grove

9. Wild Blueberry Blue

Did you know you can’t plant wild blueberries? These native plants have been growing on PEI for thousands of years, surviving in windblown fields. Harvested in late summer and fall, the wild berries’ skin is often pale purplish blue, with variation from pale lavender-purple to a more pigmented medium blue. Try Benjamin Moore Blue Lapis 2067-40 – a soothing sleepy blue perfect for a nursery.

Other paint options: Benjamin Moore Blue Dragon, Behr Debutante Ball, Behr Integrity, Farrow & Ball Cook’s Blue, Sherwin Williams Dazzle, Sherwin Williams Venture Violet, Valspar Mountain Lake

10. Silver Fox Grey

Silver fox furs were all the rage at the turn of the last century, making for a lively and lucrative fox farming industry on Prince Edward Island. A century later, these melanistic foxes are still rare compared to their red counterparts – you’ll be lucky to spot one in the wild. Their inky near-black fur is scattered with patches of silver. To capture that soft black coat, look for a cool-toned extra-dark grey like Benjamin Moore Deep Royal 2061-10 – it’ll look chic paired with crisp white trim in small spaces.

Other paint options: Farrow & Ball Scotch Blue, Behr Blackbird, Sherwin Williams Charcoal Blue, Valspar Very Black, Benjamin Moore Abyss, Behr Black Boudoir, Farrow & Ball Off-Black

For more things to discover on Prince Edward Island, check out 8 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Western PEI, The Best Ways to Experience Live Music on PEI, and Handmade From PEI.