Garden Design Ideas: Color and Form

To create curbside impact and balance fine texture, turn to these two essential design elements

usually , the best way to add balance to a purpose with a tidy sum of little leaf and hunky-dory grain is to add together big , bold , rough-textured leave . But Deborah Ellman ’s garden is a clear good example that there is another fashion . Her garden sits between her home and the street on a corner plenty in Seattle , with a pavement running down the centre of it . Most of the plants have pocket-size or thin leafage , but Deborah make trusted her garden has shock through her usage of coloring material and form .

Containers Can Create Focal Points

Amid the busy foliage , two containers catch the eye and turn a collection of plants into a well - designed composition . Nearly all of the plants have a strong upright manakin , but the rims of the pots add up a distinct horizontal ingredient . The shade of blue on the left container gives it even more pop among the subtlety of purple that surround it .

1 . Zebra grass(Miscanthus sinensis*‘Zebrinus ’ , USDA Hardiness Zones 4–9 )

2 . Star of Persia(Allium christophii , Zones 4–8 )

3 . ‘ Caradonna ’ sage(Salvia nemorosa‘Caradonna ’ , Zones 5–9 )

4 . ‘ Diane ’ witch hazel(Hamamelis×intermedia‘Diane ’ , Zones 5–9 )

5 . ‘ Autumn Joy ’ sedum(Sedum‘Autumn Joy ’ , Zones 3–11 )

Add an Unexpected Color

An unmistakable harmony of form and a warm colour palette of reds , burgundy , and icteric retain this area together . The blue lacecaps of the hydrangea are unexpected , cooling things off with a touch of contrast . “ It works because the peak is so airy , ” Deborah says . That feature helps it fit in with the residuum of the innovation around it .

1 . Coppertina ® ninebark(Physocarpus opulifolius‘Mindia ’ , Zones 3–8 )

2 . ‘ Lucifer ’ crocosmia(Crocosmia‘Lucifer ’ , geographical zone 6–9 )

3 . Mexican feather grass(Nasella tenuissima , Zones 7–11 )

4 . ‘ Aureola ’ Japanese forest grass(Hakonechloa macra‘Aureola ’ , Zones 5–9 )

5 . ‘ Blue Wave ’ bigleaf hydrangea(Hydrangea macrophylla‘Blue Wave ’ syn . ‘ Mariesii Perfecta ’ , Zones 5–9 )

6.‘Gulf Stream ’ heavenly bamboo(Nandina domestica*‘Gulf Stream ’ , Zones 6–11 )

Break Out of the Clouds

When meld many plants with humble or fine leaves , it can be difficult to keep the intent from feeling like a mishmash . One way to prevent that is by using large masses of those small leaves , which add weight to the design . Then add impact with a strong vertical speech pattern bursting from amid the cloud of leaf . Dark people of colour , like burgundy , also help ground an domain of all right grain .

1 . ‘ Rose Glow ’ barberry(Berberis thunbergii*‘Rose Glow ’ , zone 5–8 )

2 . Purple sage(Salvia officinalis‘Purpurascens ’ , zone 5–8 )

3 . ‘ Gulf Stream ’ heavenly bamboo(Nandina domestica*‘Gulf Stream ’ , Zones 6–11 )

4 . New Zealand flax(Phormiumcv . , Zones 8–11 )

5 . Lavender cotton(Santolina pinnata , Zones 6–9 )

6 . ‘ Blue Haze ’ euphorbia(Euphorbia‘Blue Haze ’ , Zones 7–9 )

7 . Mugo pine(Pinus mugo , Zones 2–9 )

Repeat Shapes and Patterns

It is attentive figure that turns a group of plant into a composition . For instance , the path the outward paste of the Nipponese maple leaves is recall in the veination of the genus Heuchera leaves ensures that this is more than just a pretty tree at sunset . And while one must make the most of all the seasonal amber , some contact of special K can keep it from being overwhelming .

1 . Coral bark Japanese maple(Acer palmatum‘Sango - Kaku ’ , Zones 5–8 )

2 . ‘ Green Spice ’ heuchera(Heuchera‘Green Spice ’ , Zones 4–9 )

3 . Frosted curls sedge(Carex albula , Zones 6–9 )

4 . ‘ Amethyst Myst ’ heuchera(Heuchera‘Amethyst Myst ’ , Zones 4–9 )

Design

Match the House to the Garden

await . Is n’t that feebleminded ? Not in this garden . Of naturally , the house and garden should make for together . commonly , gardeners pick up colour cues from the house and choose industrial plant accordingly . But Deborah already had a color scheme that she fuck for her garden . When it was time for a menage remodel , she took cues from her flora for the home ’s exterior colors . The wine-colored / plum / deep burgundy trimming color ( which even Deborah ca n’t put a name to ) harmonizes with leaf and flower colors around it .

Steve Aitken is the editor in chief .

Photos : David E. Perry

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