Hints on Combining and Playing with Colors in the Garden

Hello again,

Last week KCB posted an article called The Color of Happiness. NOW how do we incorporate color into YOUR garden? Let KCB tell you more:

"Basically, it breaks down to 2 combination choices:

·         Harmonious (colors that are next to one another and share some value) or

·         Contrasting (colors that don’t—at the opposite end of the color wheel)

Harmonious Combinations

·         Monochromatic –One color; a very sophisticated subtle approach in making a statement.

A Monochromatic Garden

                                                   

o   Choosing one hue and using it in its various shades, tints and tones.

o   Can be a good beginners approach, as it avoids the chaos of too many colors

o   Texture and repetition become more noticeable and important

o   Green makes a good transition from one shade to the next

o   Can also be employed as a progression, moving from one hue to the next on the wheel, the next...

·         Analogous -2 or 3 colors that are adjacent to one another on the wheel

o   Makes for an easier, less jarring transition for the eye

Contrasting Combinations

·         Complementary

o   Uses two colors opposite each other on the color wheel (red/green, orange/blue, yellow/purple.)

This Garden Can Be Considered Complementary

o   No common pigment means maximum contrast.

o   Can be a bit jarring if there is too much contract used

o   Try to favor one color and use the other as an accent or focal point

o   Again, use texture and form for variety, rather than too much color

·         Triad

o   3 equidistant colors on the color wheel

§  One color and the 2 colors on either side of its complement (Violet with Yellow-Orange and Yellow-Green) (Split Complements)

·         Polychromatic

·         Using every color

·         Requires as much thought and experimentation as the other approaches

Nice Textures in this Polychromatic Garden

Another Polychromatic Garden! Great Gardens Can Be Made in the Shade!

            ·         Can become a riot of color

·         Neighboring plants need to be considered throughout the garden

Warm Colors

·         Reds, yellows & Orangesà

o   Catch your attention

o   Energize often excite

o   Make you feel like you are closer than you are

Cool Colors

·         Blues, Greens & Purplesà

o   Calming, soothing

o   Tend to recede and make you feel like you are further away than you are

Tried & True color combinations:

·         With red: Greens, purples,

·         With Yellow: Purples, Blues, Oranges

·         Oranges: Purples, Dark green

Dark colors vs. light or pale colors:

·         Dark colors, especially with foliage, recede giving the feeling of depth to the garden bed.

o   Will trick the eye into thing the plant or object is further back than it is.

·         Light colors give the illusion of being closer than they are.

·         Every Garden should wear some white"

 KCB is a professional gardener and friend who does wonderful work in the Greater Portland area. KCB is also an accredited Master Gardener by the Cooperative Extension Service and we are honored to have KCB as part of our Skillin's Garden Log family. KCB can also be found at the awesome Finishing Touches website

KCB for Skillin's Greenhouses

April 2, 2012