Coloured Garden
Gardens have the potential to be the most colourful part of anyone's property. Everything for the garden is available in a vast array of colours. But how do you decide which colour to choose?
Colours Create Atmosphere
Different colours are considered to provoke different moods. Cool colours are associated with calmness. Hot colours are seen as representing activity. If you painted the inside of your gazebo blue, and then sat inside it to look over your garden, you would probably find it easy to relax (unless your garden itself was full of vibrant colours).
However, if you painted the inside orange or red you would probably find it harder to relax. Although oranges, reds and yellows occur naturally in flowers they are coloured in this way to attract bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators. Paler colours are not seen by bees and are less stimulating to the eyes.
Certain Colours fit certain garden styles
Many colours are suited to a particular style of garden, and have often originated due to the availability of landscaping materials within the country of origin.
- Mediterranean
Here, terracotta is prominent in tiles, pots, statuary and pavers. - Spanish and Mexican
Whitewashed walls are a distinguishing feature. They are often masked with climbers and topiary or espaliered trees to reduce glare from the sun. - Greek
White and blue ceramics in the form of mosaics, floor tiles and garden ornaments are typical in these gardens. - Japanese
Red bridges and buildings are a common feature in Japanese gardens. - Victorian and Edwardian
Strong mid-green paint (British racing green) is characteristic of containers, furniture, garden structures and trellis in these gardens. Many garden fixtures were intended to blend in to the background permitting specimen plants, sculptures, statuary and ornaments to be more discernible. - Cottage
The cottage garden has typically had a variety of colour on display. This is normally attained through mixed border planting.
Colour
Combinations
With the exception of those people who are colour blind, most of us would agree that certain colour combinations clash. A colour clash must be avoided at all costs. On the other hand contrast works well with colours. White stone against dark red or green foliage, and deep red flowers against pale green foliage works very well.
Alternatively you can achieve a sense of harmony by using colours that are similar. Imagine grey stone pavers, silvery foliage, stone pots and walls and a grey slate roof. Add to this, pale blue or white flowers, and you have a scene that is very harmonious.
Simplicity can have the greatest impact
If you wish to create a certain mood choose a predominant colour to base your garden around. For example, a white garden where flowers are white, and foliage is silver or paler shades of green. You can follow the same idea with a bold colour, for example, a red garden where flowers and foliage are in shades of red, purple and bronze. Mud bricks, red bricks, terracotta tiles and pots would complement this theme. Try looking at different coloured objects and flowers to see how they affect your mood before you decide on your theme.
Plant for Colour
Plants are not the same colour all year round. Most noticeably, deciduous plants change colour in autumn. However, many evergreen plants can change colour too, and so look different in different seasons. Also, plants change colour when they produce flowers. Sometimes foliage may fade slightly as energy is channelled into the flowers. In addition, flushes of new growth can be a different colour on many plants. Many Lily Pillies and Pieris 'Flame of the Forest' produce new foliage which is tinged with reddish bronze. As the leaves mature they become green. The tender young leaves on Aucuba japonica (Spotted Laurel) are notably creamy white before turning dark green with creamy yellow blotches.
Plan your Plants
Think about how your choice of plants will look together at different times of the year. You can plan to use different colours to achieve a different ambience with the seasons. For example, you may opt to have a garden bed look bright and vibrant to welcome in the spring after a long and dreary winter. The same garden bed could then be superseded by flowers in more mellow colours as the garden heads into summer, making it seem more peaceful to sit in. For example, yellow Daffodils, red Camellias and brightly coloured Primula 'Polyanthus' in the spring could give way to more subdued blue shades of Lavender, Rosemary, Wisteria and Liriopes later in the season. So, colour up your garden for the ultimate atmosphere all year round.
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Commercial Hydroponics 3rd edition
One of the worlds best selling hydroponic books, first published in 1991 by Kangaroo Press. Dozens of colour photos, unique and rarely published advice on how to grow over 100 different types of plants (vegetables, herbs, flowers, indoor plants) in hydroponics. http://www.acsebook.com/products/2232-commercial-hydroponics-third-edition.aspx
The Environment of Play 2nd edition
A unique and inspirational view of designing play spaces for children. Full of photos, an inspiration for parents, child care workers, teachers, play leaders, landscape designers and park management professionals. First edition was published in the 1980’s by Leisure Press in New York. http://www.acsebook.com/products/2247-the-environment-of-play.aspx
Growing Trees and Shrubs for Small Gardens 2nd edition
First edition published by Kangaroo Press/Simon & Schuster. http://www.acsebook.com/products/1684-growing-trees-and-shrubs-for-small-gardens.aspx
Tropical Plants 2nd edition
http://www.acsebook.com/products/2245-tropical-plants.aspx
Trees and Shrubs for Warm Places First edition A valuable reference for growing plants not only in the tropics and sub tropics, but also greenhouses, inside the home or even hot courtyards in a temperate garden. Never before been published. The book contains colour photos of close to 300 plants and descriptions of many times that number (and largely different to the plants covered in our Tropical Plants book). http://acsebook.com/products/2238-trees-and-shrubs-for-warm-placescoming-soon.aspx
Garden Design Part 1 1st edition
A huge book with around 300 inspiring colour photos; that explains how to design a garden in a way that is able to be understood by a beginner, but full of tips and ideas that can help even seasoned professionals. http://www.acsebook.com/products/2242-garden-design-part-1.aspx
Garden Design Part 2 1st edition
Following on from Garden Design Part 1, this presents approximately 300 more photos, and a huge amount of inspirational reading to help you (in particular), understand the different styles of garden and the options open to you as a garden designer, or a home owner. http://acsebook.com/products/2244-garden-design-part-2.aspx
Starting a Garden or Landscape Business 2nd ed.
Previously published by Simon and Schuster; this is a must read for anyone wanting to set out on a career in horticulture. http://acsebook.com/products/2239-starting-a-garden-or-landscape-business.aspx
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