Spring is definitely in the air. In order for your garden to fully reflect the vibrancy of the season, take a look at these inspiring colour combinations:
A favourite subtle colour trio of Go Wild Landscape founder Andrew Marshall is purples, blue and whites. This palette produces a fresh and delicate effect which contrasts well with green foliage.
“Purples go well with reds” Andrew says. He recommends “planting combinations such as purple Verbena bonariensis with red Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff”. Another unusual and eye-catching colour pairing he employs uses blues with yellows or for a more muted, ethereal effect, planting deep pink sedums with a backdrop of golden Molinia windspiel.
Using a Colour Wheel
This can help you create mixtures of garden shades that work:
Colours which are close to each other on the wheel work well: these are known as “analogous colours” and are the pigment schemes often found in nature throughout the seasons. Examples include Red Crocosmia lucifer with Lavender or red Dahlia bishop of Llandaff with verbena bomariensis. However, secondary orange and primary yellow would not a good mix as they are two bright, clashing colours – not close enough to be analogous but not different enough to compliment each other.
Complimentary colours are hues which stand on the opposite side of the wheel to each other and can also work well – however this needs to be done subtly with spots of colour to avoid garishness e.g. the blue of Pulmonaria with pale yellow Primroses.. However, the “split complementary” technique can achieve a subtler effect – instead of picking the swatch directly opposite, try one of the shades 2 or three notches further around the wheel.
For extra vibrancy, a “triad” of colours can be employed – these are three colours at an equal distance from another on the colour wheel. Go Wild Landscapes have over 12 years of garden design experience and will be able to suggest great colour combinations for your garden depending on your taste whether you like hot reds and yellows or more subtle purples blues and whites in your garden.
