Colour Love

Spring has finally arrived, and just like that, our gardens go from ‘out of sight, out of mind’ to centre stage.

After months of barely glancing at our outside spaces through rain-streaked windows, we’re now itching to get outside, dreaming of lush borders and bursts of beautiful colour. So, where to start?

Whether you’re looking for a calm sanctuary or a vibrant riot of colour I’ve got you covered with a few tips and tricks to achieving your own personal, perfect colour palette.

Think in Harmonies
‍Monochrome magic: Sticking to one colour in different shades (e.g., deep purples, lilacs, and mauves) creates a sophisticated, calming feel as your blooms gently glide through subtle changes in hue.Analogous appeal: Using colours next to each other on the colour wheel (yes we're back to our trusty wheel again) will create a soft, natural feel.
Opposites attract: Complementary colours (opposites in the colour wheel) like purple and yellow or blue and orange, create vibrancy and impact. When it comes to colour, you can’t go far wrong if you play according to the colour wheel rules.

The Power of Green
‍Green is the backdrop that makes everything work and a powerful trigger for calm, tranquil spaces. Varying tones, leaf shapes, and structures add depth and texture and work particularly well in shady spaces where their cool, confident calm feels perfectly at home.

Hot vs Cool Tones
‍Warm colours (reds, oranges, yellows) appear to advance, making spaces feel cosier. These vibrant colours sit most happily in full sun where their flamboyance can truly sing out.
Cool colours (blues, purples, soft pinks) visually recede, helping small gardens feel bigger and more serene. Some designers recommend only ever using blue in the shade, where the lower light levels allow their soft, subtle beauty to shine.

Pure White
‍White blooms truly stand out and work brilliantly to visually foreshorten an area. A white drift through a vibrant scheme will give you licence to be more playful with colour as you offer the eye a place to rest amidst the fun. Delicate whites take on an ethereal quality as the light fades and evening takes hold, making them perfect for seating areas enjoyed at dusk and beyond.

Borrow from Nature
‍Take inspiration from wild hedgerows, meadows, or even sunset skies, nature already has the perfect colour combos! Natural doesn’t have to mean neutral and muted, there’s nothing more natural than the vibrant pinks and yellows of the spring and summer hedgerows to inspire a beautiful scheme.

The Devil’s in the Detail
‍If you’re throwing out the colour wheel and going for a fantastical mix, try to find a link through stem or stamen colour which allows new colours to sit comfortably with their partners. This will ensure a seemingly clashing palette stays pleasing to the eye and grounds the whole scheme.

With the garden season bursting into life why not embrace a new palette and give your space a colour make over. For even more colour encouragement, see my post 'No Bravery Required' where I explore the power of colour and why you should trust your instincts and go for it..

Know someone who needs a garden makeover but is struggling on where to start? Why not share this post or get in touch and let me help you find your perfect palette.