White, the Fifth Primary

Although pure white is rare in nature there are many so-called whites among flowers, which upon examination turn out to be tints of yellow, blue, or green, so pale they can hardly be so designated. Always try to determine what sort of white—bluish, greenish, or yellowish—a flower is before adding it to a combination. Then use it with stronger hues of the same color, or as a contrast with its compliments. Phlox Miss Lingard and Iberis sempervirens are about the whitest whites you will find.

Plate 23a. A Group of White Flowers for Early Summer

1. Delphinium Sir Galahad	5. Astilbe White Gloria
2. Thermopsis caroliniana	6. Campanula medium white
3. Phlox Miss Lingard	7. Astilbe Deutschland
4. Monarda didyma Cambridge Scarlet

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. It has been frequently suggested that white be used as a foil for strong colors, as a peacemaker between warring elements, and that it can be used indiscriminately. Such treatment destroys the unity of a scheme and produces a nervous, spotty garden. Harmony of color may have been maintained but at the expense of quietness. (Plate 23a.)

Bold masses of white produce a beauty and dignity hard to surpass. Cunningly interspersed with strong colors, white softens them; used among weaker tints, it strengthens. Strong whites should always be used with strong hues so that they may be in balance; the violence of contrasts is softened by its introduction. If the "vulgar" yellow of coreopsis is used with the white Phlox Miss Lingard, it is no problem. White also pacifies the difficult blue-reds, magenta, true purple, and violets. When strong contrast is needed, however, do not introduce white, for it will drain away strength. For example, delphinium and orange lilies do not need Phlox Miss Lingard. They are better alone. The contrast is stronger. If you feel it is too strong, reduce the size of the group.

Plate 23b. A Composition with White Dominant

1. Sweet alyssum	7. Lilium madonna
2. Ageratum Blue Cap	8. Dianthus barbatus Newport Pink Majestic
3. Chrysanthemum maximum	9. Buddleia Peace
4. Linum perenne	10. Anchusa italica Dropmore
5. Phlox Miss Lingard	11. Phlox Mrs. Flanders
6. Baptisia australis

One of the most interesting and exciting gardens we have seen is planted after the Russian manner that Bakst used so effectively in stage settings. Basically it is a white garden from early spring until late fall, but strong color is introduced at certain places to give violent contrast, create sequence, balance, and climax. There are no tender shades or pastels colors here, only median hues set among a wide range of whites in front of interesting green foilage of varying texture.

It is the luminosity of white that makes it so pleasing in the garden. In semi-shade it appears deeper and even stronger, yet at the same time it lightens the area considerably. White is important in all plantings enjoyed in the evening for it is one of the few colors that remain visible. Most white flowers also have an evening fragrance. A garden comes to mind with white petunias in the foreground and groups of nicotiana in the middleground. These give a sense of shape and form— and perfume—to the pattern in the half light of dusk or moonlight. (Plate 23b.)

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: Green, the Sixth Primary
• Return from White, the Fifth Primary to: Landscape-Guide Home

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