The image depends on the type of light and where it is coming from. For example, the colour of a statue looks quite different when it is hit by bright sunlight compared to when the sun is behind and filtered through a canopy of trees.


Light and Colour Work Together

It doesn’t matter how brilliant any flower or feature is: without the appropriate lighting, the colour will never be seen at its full potential.

Time of Day

The colour of a plant or feature in the garden will change throughout the day. The sun gives off energy waves or vibrations – and this is what we see as colour. These vibrations vary in rate and that rate is what creates different colours.

During the day, faster vibrations occur, with the sunlight penetrating the atmosphere at right angles more directly, and the faster vibrations cause the sky to appear blue.

At sunset, the sunlight is coming into the atmosphere at a greater angle, and this causes slower vibrations that make the sky appear more yellow or orange. Similarly, the colour of flowers may vary during the day. Sapphire blue colours can look more lilac or purple in late afternoon light.

At night, things appear as shades of black grey or white unless lit artificially; and then the type of light source can change the colour.

• If you have lots of green foliage, plant a reddish coloured foliage plant as a hedge through the centre or a patch of coloured foliage plants in the foreground.

• If a feature (eg. a statue or fountain) lacks impact, give it a contrasting backdrop. Surround it with bright coloured plants or paint an existing wall or fence behind it in a contrasting colour.

• If you are installing a lattice or trellis panel against a wall, try whitewashing the wall and choose a dark bold colour for your trellis. Deep blues and greens will stand out well and emphasise this feature.

• Consider contrast when planting up containers. Pale, silvery bark or foliage contrasts well against terracotta. Dark green foliage contrasts well against pale stone colours. If using painted wooden containers select the colour to contrast with the plants you intend to use.

• Containers can be strategically placed to contrast with trees and shrubs already growing in the garden.

• You can try using contrasting blocks of different coloured foliage in garden beds. A central garden bed can look captivating with plantings of red, silver and green opposite each other.

• Similarly blocks of dark green and light green can be used opposite each other.

• Use contrasting coloured pavers on pathways and patios to create interesting patterns

• Paint archways and pergolas in colours that contrast with the foliage and flowers of climbers growing up them

• Use a white stone mulch in pots containing dark foliage plants, and a dark stone mulch in pots containing silver foliage plants