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Use of Colour in The GardenWhen Christmas is over, spring and summer fashions appear in the malls. One quickly sees the color trend for the season. Ever wonder who decides this? The Color Marketing Group and Pantone Colour Institute influence the colour palettes which will be seen in everything from paint, fabrics, furnishings to flower pots. The Horticultural industry uses these trends to choose the prominent flower colours for the season. We are all aware that colour can affect our moods. Terms like “feeling blue”; “yellow bellied”; “green with envy” or “seeing red” are expressing a particular mood being felt. The most obvious thing the eye observes is colour. Long before the form of an object is recognized by the eye, its colour has already registered in the consciousness. It appears that the eye’s mechanism is created so that it perceives four colors distinctly - Red, Yellow, Blue and Green. Each individual possesses a different perception of colour based on its density. Artists and gardeners know that colors may not only be arranged in a pleasing association, but that colours can also imply weight and density or lightness and delicacy. Colour is a matter of sensation. There are specific nerve endings which line the retina of the eye that are especially sensitive to colour. Colours such as Scarlet, Gold, Orange and Red create a mood of high energy. Red displays physical strength and is associated with ambition and/or anger. Orange stimulates the mind and is considered an anti-depressant. Yellow focuses on ego, optimism and self- esteem. Cool colours such as Pink; Ivory: soft Greys; pastel Blues and Lavender, create a relaxing mood. The classic cool of Blue reminds us of lazy summer days, long swims and endless blue sky. Blue sends an unmistakable message of calm and serenity. Green is relaxing, cooling, giving a feeling of reassurance. Nature uses green in wide expanses of grass, or mass plantings of trees. How nice it is to relax in a grove of trees or in a hammock under wide spreading trees. 
White flowers are a class distinct from all others. White is full of elegance and delicacy. It defines our most cherished values of purity and truth. It is an all-around colour of peace and comfort. White is often used to separate two colours which would otherwise clash. If you have a distant spot in the garden you wish to highlight, white flowers will draw the eye to that area. Colour can also be used to create an illusion. Warm colours such as Yellow; Orange and Red tend to advance toward you. This will make a small flower bed appear closer than it actually is. If, however, pastel shades of these colours are used in the foreground, it produces an illusion of greater depth. On the other hand, Blue; Violet and Grey colours appear to recede. If these colours are used at the end of a flower bed, the bed will appear to be longer than it actually is. An undertone of Purple and a measure of Violet are an excellent accompaniment to all colours because these are considered shadow tones which bring depth and atmosphere to the garden. Silver -Grey and White are good choices for an evening garden. Both colours will shimmer in the moonlight. We can add paint to the outdoor furnishings, fences and flower pots, yet the colour of foliage, flowers and berries in the garden conspire not only to change our mood but also broadcast our personalities to visitors. So colour should be used carefully in the garden. Next time you visit someone’s garden, look around. There may be more to it than initially meets the eye. *Privacy statement - All e-mail addresses and messages received will be held in strict confidence and will not be submitted to any third party. |
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