Using Color In The Garden

I'd ask myself if it was fatigue influencing my vision, or something else? At the same time I'd notice how one drop of a particular color could unify a whole area. I decided that color was key. It has the power to stir our moods and stimulate the senses. After completing this article, I'm sure many of you will continue on in the way that you find most enjoyable. The path of least resistance has it's value. But for some of you, my hope is that you will take this article to heart and begin exploring color palates that inspire and speak to you on a different level. Take your garden and landscape to a new dimension by carefully choosing the color scheme.

I'll bet most people never thought about color as a discipline. When I started landscaping, I bought what I liked, liked what I liked and never gave it a second thought. Over the years, I started to notice subtle differences in gardens. Some were tranquil, others dramatic, still others had an almost mystical quality. As I'd finish a section of the garden, I often wondered how the addition of one spectacular plant or flower could ruin the look of the whole space.

White gardens are cleansing, soothing and contemplative. They look spectacular in the shade. The white garden is the most dramatic because of it's simplicity and use of restraint. The key to a good design is contrast. Pay special attention to the foliage.Vary the size, shape and texture.Try mixing variegated groundcovers with different shades of hostas. Finish off with white impatiens and vinca.

Cool colors are my personal favorite in the garden. There's nothing like surrounding yourself with calm, cooling colors on a hot summer day. They are easy to work with. Blues and purples have a rare and exotic feel to them. If you find them too confining, you can add pale pinks, salmons and whites to add interest without turning up the volume too much.

Reds, oranges and yellows are hot colors. They are stimulating, energizing and bold. In my opinion, they are the most difficult to use. If you prefer them, try containing them to a paricular area. They can be difficult to mix with blues and whites. Hot pink can be used to soften them. They are incredibly dramatic and tend to create focal points on their own. It's important to place them carefully as they could easily upset the balance in an otherwise perfect design.