Combining Colors in the Garden

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated February 22, 2023)

Who wouldn't like to learn a little more about combining colors in the garden? After all, when you have this skill really locked down and learned, you can create a truly stunning garden. Combining the colors in your garden is basically a matter of combining imagination with a few simple guidelines. By expressing your imagination you will be able to create a garden or landscape that is truly yours. Here are a few guidelines that are designed to help you get started—the imagination is something that you will have to come up with on your own though.

  • Don't be afraid of repetition. For some reason, when planning out a garden people have a tendency to believe that repetition of plants or colors is something to be avoided. This couldn't be further from the truth. By repeating colors and plants throughout the entire landscape, rather than just in one location, you can help guide the eyes travel through the garden. In addition, this will help create a sense of unity for your garden, which can help tie everything together.
  • Think of the season. Often, when people plan their gardens, they only think of the spring and summer. Instead, try to think of your garden as something that can bring color year round. This may take a little more creative planning on your part if you have a limited area to work with. On the plus side though, this can help provide colors in your garden year round.
  • When are you in the garden? Most people are not in their garden all day, every day, so think about when you are there. Try combining the colors in the garden to match that time of the day. Think about what colors look best in the evening, and use them if that is the time that you will be spending enjoying your landscape.
  • Layers and texture is helpful. Do not get too boring in your plant and color choice. Instead, use a combination of plant types, and their colors and placements, to create the illusion of texture and layers. In addition, you can also use different types of plants that will actually have provide contrast with each other. Another method that you can use is to think of your garden as if it was a cake which has different layers. Each layer can be a separate color, or combination of colors, that work individually and collectively with each other.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Cleaning Window Screens

Window screens are a wonderful little item that can come in real handy, particularly if you don't have air conditioning. ...

Discover More

Storing Thanksgiving Decorations

Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the holidays for many people. Take a little time and effort to store your ...

Discover More

Protecting Bamboo Wood Floors

If you are interested in having a hardwood floor, then bamboo wood floors is potentially a great choice. Environmentally ...

Discover More
More Gardening Tips

Creating a Beginner's Flower Garden

Starting a flower garden is easy. Make sure you have the right spot chosen out to grow your flowers. Choose the flowers ...

Discover More

Importance of Proportion in Garden Design

The importance of proportion in garden design is perhaps one of the most easily identifiable, at least when you take a ...

Discover More

Gardening in Sandy Soil

Although water moves quickly through sandy soil, washing away vital nutrients and creating air pockets at the root ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Receive an e-mail several times each week with a featured gardening tip. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four more than 2?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Receive an e-mail several times each week with a featured gardening tip. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)