Many gardeners and landscapers prefer using annual flowers because of the large variety of colours, shapes and no requirement of planting or gardening experience. When it comes to annual flowers, it is easy to create a diversity of colours in any flowerbed. It is easy to buy annuals at any garden supply or grow seedlings yourself. However, to design a unique garden some basic skills would be required.
INFLUENCE OF COLOURS ON HUMANS
Different colours have different effects on well-being and perception, that is why their combination and intensity play a significant role in the creation of the garden design.
For example, warm colours create a cozy effect, focus attention and enhance mood. However, excessive amounts of warm colours can bring out feelings of aggression and irritation.
Blue colour tones bring out the feeling of cold, relaxation but too much of blue can create the feeling of loneliness and sadness.
Purple and violet colours are magnificent but with overuse can affect negatively and even bring out depression.
On the other hand, pastel and silver shades harmoniously fulfill each other and are light-bodied.
Mixtures of yellow and white are uplifting, they bring out the feeling of happiness and summer like feelings.
PRINCIPLES OF COLOURISTIC IN GARDEN DESIGN
Different colour combinations bring out all kinds of emotional feelings. In terms of contrast there are successful colour combinations such as, yellow – violet, blue – orange, green – red plus achromatic colours: grey, black, white. They go well with almost all colour tones.
According to the principles of colouristic all bright spots in a garden should be placed on a green background such as grass or trees. The green colour in this scheme plays the dominant role. All other colours are added afterwards and their combination dictates the mood of the garden composition.
The most contrasting colours on the green background are warm colours such as yellow and red. Such flower beds are more bright and visually appear closer. Cold colours are: blue, navy, silver visually move flower beds away and create an illusion of haze. Pastel and white flowers add more light, and appear as glowing in the dark. Dark red, violet, velvety flowers should be planted as close as possible as they vanish away when looked at from a distance.
WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GARDEN LOOK STUNNING
Bright monotone colours such as red, blue, pink, burgundy look bright and classy when combined with white. It is easier to group similar colour tone flowers. A good combination would be planting White Alyssum, Petunia, Verbena, Million Bells, Eschscholzia, etc.
Good contrasting plants to use are: Lobelia, Moonflower, Morning glory, Daisy, Hosta. As a rule they either break down the basic colour making it lighter or enhance it.
The latest colour combination trends are unusual, such as salmon – pink and violet, purple and silver, lemon and dark burgundy. However it is not recommended to use more than three colours in one flower composition. Only exception is when a special effect is wanted to be achieved such as a “country style” flower bed.
If you want to try something new, don’t be afraid to experiment. Try any combination as long as you like the garden outcome. Possibly your new garden will bring out joy and happiness as well as enhance your and your family’s well-being.
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