Red, and Its Place

Plate 19. Red Phlox in a Composition for August

1. Artemisia lactiflora	4. Phlox Mary Louise
2. Phlox Charles Curtis	5. Ageratum Blue Cap
3. Platycodon grandiflorum

Red, and the closely associated hues of crimson, scarlet, and red-orange can be important in a garden composition, but rarely do you see or want to see, in this climate at least, a garden where these colors predominate. Too often they are omitted altogether, but they are a means of securing greater distinction and a desirable warmth. Brilliant reds and true scarlets are admirable for accent, especially against a dense green background. They attract attention as nothing else will. On account of their vitality and strength, use them discreetly in small amounts. (Plate 19.)

Pure red is best with subdued blue-green foliage or with white or clear blue flowers for sharp contrast. Soft yellows and lavenders can be used with it for subtle contrast. Pleasing groups can be created with the analogous colors red-violet and red-orange, but red that inclines toward yellow should not be used with pinks, blue-red (magenta), or purple, although pure red may be.

Contents

• Color Accent - Color accent groups along a border produce movement, rhythm, and sequence. They carry the eye along to the climactic point.
• Color Placement - Color, for any given season, should never be concentrated in any one bed or border to the exclusion of others.
• Color Schemes - Since we discourage the use of restrictive and complex color schemes, we will offer other reasonable solutions. The two methods that follow have been found in actual practice to produce satisfactory gardens.
• Blue - Analogous harmonies based on blue are easy to arrange because dark and light blues provide sufficient contrast. Blue, contrasted with yellow or orange of the same chroma, is strong and bold, but such combinations must be used sparingly.
• Violet, Purple, and Magenta - These hues lie between blue and red and are most difficult to use effectively. Long considered symbols of loyalty, they bring dignity to the garden.
• Red, and Its Place - Red, and the closely associated hues of crimson, scarlet, and red-orange can be important in a garden composition. Too often they are omitted altogether, but they are a means of securing greater distinction and a desirable warmth.
• Pink, a Tint of Red - Here is a color that is not a primary, as is sometimes supposed, but a tint of red that varies according to the amount of white it contains. There are deep strong pinks (rose), or pale weak ones.
• Orange, Warm and Luminous - Orange imparts even more brilliance and warmth to borders than red and closely related scarlet. Orange is one of the vital hues.
• Yellow for Light and Life - Yellow and white are always pleasing together and there is a fresh simplicity in their use. Another strong contrast may be had from strong yellow with strong blue, or even with difficult purple.
• White, the Fifth Primary - You might think white would be the simplest of colors to use in the garden, yet this is not the case. White, improperly placed, or in poor proportion causes unsatisfactory compositions.
• Green, the Sixth Primary - The urge for riots of color in all parts of the garden at all times makes us overlook green. Such neglect not only impairs the true effectiveness of color compositions, but also robs the garden of more permanent beauty.
• Gray and Silvery Foliage - Gray-foliaged plants are more effective with light-tinted flowers, soft lavenders, mauve, pale yellow, buff, and soft pinks. But they are also good with strong colors.
• Color in the Garden - Color should be used to provide accent and emphasis, balance, repetition and rhythm, sequence, and climax. These are more helpful in the development of a pleasing garden than all the subtle, close, color harmonies that ever were attempted.

See Also

• Next Page: Pink, a Tint of Red
• Return from Red, and Its Place to: Landscape-Guide Home

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