Working with a designer to develop a landscape color plan is a great way to add character and create a certain mood in your yard. Different color combinations and placement convey distinctive vibes. Cool colors such as violet and white can set apart an area for calm relaxation and peaceful meditation, while warm colors such as red and orange visually stimulate. Colors also affect the spatial feel in the landscape. Cool colors seem to recede, and warm colors appear closer. Similarly, the human eye is naturally drawn to changes in shades and tints of flowers and shrubs, especially when placed in close proximity to each other. There are four basic ways you can arrange color in the landscape to achieve a desired ambiance.
PRIMARY. Mixing the three primary colors of red, yellow, and blue attracts attention and stimulates the senses. It is a bright, energetic, and intense color palette that can be tempered by using the pastel tones of each of these primary colors for a softer effect around the home.
COMPLEMENTARY. In this design, colors opposite each other on the color wheel create an energetic, contrasting presentation of color, similar to a primary scheme. Think purple and yellow annuals mingled together in a planting bed bordering a walkway.
ANALOGOUS. Colors that sit beside each other on the color wheel, such as orange and red, appear harmonious yet interesting because of their slight color variation. Choosing warm colors or cool colors will affect the overall ambiance of the landscape.
MONOCHROMATIC. Just as the name implies, a monochromatic landscape design uses just one color for an overarching feeling of harmony. To jazz it up, include plants that flower in various shades and tints of that single color.
In addition to using bright color, it is possible to create contrast and interest in the landscape by mixing solid and variegated foliage, such as Aucuba. This is an effective method of adding interest to the shadier areas of the yard, where plant color choices are more limited. Similarly, tree trunks can be integrated into the color plan. Coral Bark Japanese Maple provides winter color with its coral bark, and White Natchez Crape Myrtle blooms white in the summer while its molted bark in the cooler seasons contrasts beautifully with winter snow. Some varieties change color with the seasons and may work especially well if you want an ever-evolving color scheme. Bloodgood Japanese Maple, for example, first leafs out in brilliant burgundy, then mutes to reddish-green, and finally turns bright again in the fall.
Ask a landscape designer about a cohesive color plan for your landscape that captures the mood you want to embrace.
DAVID PAYNE is the owner of HOME & GARDEN LANDSCAPES and can be reached at 919-801-0211 or HOMEANDGARDENLANDSCAPES.COM.