subject: Using Colour In The Garden [print this page] Using Colour In The Garden Using Colour In The Garden
One of the most important aspects of a border design are the colours it consists of. When used correctly, great effects can be achieved, ranging from a basic sense of unity to being able to completely distort the perceived size of an area. But to achieve these effects, the basics need to be understood, and once you've got to grip with these, well, who knows what you can achieve!
Colour is the very first thing you see when you look at a border and gives an instant effect. Proper use of it can create a myriad of emotions and feelings, where as improper use can make it look a bit of a jumble. As you can see below, there is what is known as a colour wheel. This is your greatest tool when it comes to finding colours that work together. There are four main approaches to use of colour, these are monochromatic, polychromatic, contrasting and analogous.
A monochromatic scheme is one that only uses a single colour, in its various shades and tints. The idea is to create a sense of simplicity without the scheme becoming monotonous. Yellows and reds tend to lend themselves to this type of scheme, where as blue does not due to a lack of variety.
A polychromatic scheme is the opposite of that of monochromatic. It is essentially the use of about half of the colour wheel to create a rainbow effect. This approach is quite a traditional one, and can be seen in borders, planters and numerous hanging baskets up and down the country. The popularity of it is on the decline though, as a shift towards a simpler approach is the current trend.
A contrasting scheme is the use of two colours that are directly opposite one another on the colour wheel. Personally, one of my favorite examples of this is yellow and purple, as there is a lot of plants that fit these colours and work well together. For maximum effect, use the true colours, not tints or shades, but sometimes this can be viewed as a little brash or sometimes even garish, so the use of shades is sometimes preferred.
An analogous scheme is in its essence, the use of two, three or even four different colours that all neighbor one another on the colour wheel. For example, red, purple and orange would be regarded as a polychromatic scheme. It has much of the subdued charm of a monochromatic scheme, but with a larger range of plants and shrubs that can be used.
These four schemes are the main tools used when designing with colour, and when combined on a large scale can achieve wondrous effects. For example, the use of a polychromatic scheme for a central location with monochromatic planting in adjoining locations can create "rooms" in a garden, and give a sense of boundary without having to use a physical structure. Anyway, I hope this basic introduction has been a "colorful" read for you, sorry, couldn't help myself, and that it in some way has helped you in your future usage of colour.
