Colours in a garden create moods and illusions.

Orchestrating the colour palette in the garden through the selection and arrangement of plants and objects can be great fun as well as being aesthetically rewarding.
So instead of a hodge podge disorderly combination of plants and flowers one can use combinations of plants with various flower colours to create the look one wants in a garden.
The experts say that there is no right or wrong when it comes to colour in the garden.  Colour choices are a matter of personal taste but a basic principles is that the garden’s colour scheme should match that of the house and other predominant features of the environment.
It is advised that the gardener should use no more than one colour theme for each garden room. Greens and grays act as harmonisers between contrasting colours
For many, a riot of colours red, yellow, pink or blue is the real deal.
Red and yellow are two colours that immediately capture attention.
Scientists say that our eyes are drawn to displays of red or yellow. So plants with flowers in these colours are good choices to plant in a key area that you want people to see.
It is said that if your garden is long and narrow, plant masses of bright red flowers at the far end and this will visually pull that end in closer and it won’t seem so long and narrow. This can be done with anything you want to bring closer, because red advances visually.
Red also physically arouses people and gets our adrenaline pumping. If you want to excite people, put lots of red en mass.
Masses of red or yellow are guaranteed attention-getters and will not go unnoticed. In a full-sun garden consider the red blooms of petunias or begonias.
Yellow is most often found in marigolds, but for taller plants with golden yellow blooms try sunflowers.
The colour pink, psychologists say is perceived as being sweet tasting and fragrant.
It is also said to be a soothing calming colour as well.
Pink impatiens will brighten an area which is shaded.
Then masses of white.
If you are the type of person who likes things neat, tidy, and precise, white is the colour for you.
We think of doctors in their white coats and laboratories with white walls and equipment because we associate white with cleanliness, orderliness, and precision.
Crisp flowerbeds or border plantings of white will give your garden a well-planned and orderly look.
White is also the last colour to fade from sight as darkness falls, so it’s a good choice for areas you want to look at in the evening, and also a good choice for bordering pathways since you can follow your way easier even as it gets dark.
Masses of zinnias come to mind.
Green is an excellent complement to white because it actually helps your eyes recover quickly from strain.
Mid-tone to deep greens coming more from foliage, can impart an air of richness and luxury to a garden, while lighter and yellow greens give a more casual look.
And blue!
Have you ever wondered why swimming pools are usually painted blue and not red? It’s because people perceive blue as being cool and calming.
It is said that when your field of vision is filled with blue, your body actually slows down and you get calmer.
You can use blue flowering plants to create a feeling of coolness even in a full-sun garden by planting lots of blue flowers (lighter blues are better than dark blues).
Even when it’s hot you’ll feel cooler in the “blue” area of your garden.
Those are just a few tips on using flower and foliage colour to make your garden stand out.

Remember to have fun and a great looking flower garden, group plants of a particular colour of your choosing en masse for maximum impact.

By Clifford Stanley